His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (Jn 2:5, ESV)

At a wedding celebration that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had been invited to, the hosts ran out of wine. This would have been embarrassing for anyone, but in this culture, it would have also diminished their standing in the community. Mary had full confidence in Jesus that he had the power to do something for the wedding hosts. Even though Jesus points out that there are valid reasons that he might not do something, Mary does not waiver in her conviction that he can do something. Mary neither objects nor demands how Jesus answers her request. She has stated her case with unwavering faith then cedes the initiative of action to Jesus. Her response is a simple yet profound confession of faith, “Do whatever he tells you.”

I must confess that I am prone to coming to God with a prayer request and a preconceived notion of how that request should be answered. Even before I bring my need to the one who has power to answer, I have already formulated my plan of how I will take care of the issue. Instead of humbly requesting guidance on how or even if I should proceed, I arrogantly demand a blessing on my plan which I have already decided I’m going to take. Not even the mother of our Lord had the power to dictate how Christ operated or the authority to restrict his freedom regarding his mission from the Father. How much more do we need to recognize our position when we come before our Lord and God?

When you pray about a decision, are you willing to take an option you don’t like if that is the direction God tells you to go? When you come in prayer with a need, are you willing to do whatever he tells you?

In Christ,

Jonathon “Chappy” Swearingen