When Obedience Costs You Something

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” - Luke 1:38

When the angel finished speaking to Mary, the message must have left her breathless. She had just been told that she would give birth to the Son of God, even though she was not yet married. Every part of her life was about to change.

In that moment, she could have said no. She could have asked for more proof, more security, or more time. Instead, her response was quiet but bold. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” That simple phrase was one of the greatest acts of faith in history.

Mary’s yes came with a cost. Obedience meant accepting a road filled with misunderstanding and pain. She would have to face whispers behind her back, questions she could not answer, and judgment she did not deserve. To everyone else, her story would sound unbelievable. But Mary trusted that God’s plan, no matter how risky or difficult, was worth following. Her obedience wasn’t blind; it was built on confidence in who God is.

Following Jesus today still requires that same kind of courage. Obedience will always ask something of you. It might cost your comfort, your pride, or even relationships that once felt secure. It might mean walking away from a plan you’ve built to follow the one God has written. And while the cost can feel heavy in the moment, the reward is always greater. You will discover that obedience is not about losing control. It’s about placing your life in the hands of the One who knows exactly what He’s doing.

Maybe you are in a season where saying yes to God feels hard. You know what He’s asking, but it seems like too much to give. Remember Mary’s story. She didn’t understand how everything would work out, but she trusted the One who spoke the promise. Her yes changed the world. Yours might change someone’s eternity. Following Jesus will always cost something. But He’s worth everything.