Let It Be Done: Surrendering to God's Will

I often wonder what it must have felt like for Mary that day.
One moment she was living her ordinary life, and the next—an angel stood before her, offering a future that would change everything. Her mind must have raced: 

"What about my reputation?" 

"What about Joseph?"

"What about my dreams?"

And yet, somehow, she found the strength to say, "Let it be to me according to your word." (Luke 1:38) It wasn't a weak surrender. It was a powerful, faith-filled "yes" to the unknown — trusting that God’s goodness would catch her when the ground beneath her shifted. And maybe that’s where you and I find ourselves too sometimes — standing at the edge of uncertainty, invited to whisper the same brave words: Let it be.

The Power of Surrendered Words

It’s easy to think surrender means giving up, but in God’s kingdom, surrender is where real life begins.
Mary’s response reminds me so much of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, sweat dripping like blood, facing the cross. And what does He pray? "Not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42) There’s something sacred about surrendering our way and trusting God's.

Even a Roman centurion understood it. When he asked Jesus to heal his servant, he didn’t need Jesus to come all the way to his house. He just said, "Just say the word." (Matthew 8:8) Simple. Faithful. Certain that God’s word was enough.

Pause here for a moment:
Is there something in your life — a dream, a relationship, a plan — where God is inviting you to trust Him enough to say, "Let it be"?

When God Says "Let There Be"

In the beginning, there was chaos and darkness. And God spoke into it: "Let there be light." (Genesis 1:3) And there was light. Instantly. Without hesitation. That’s the kind of power His word still holds today. When we give God our "let it be," He often responds with His own:

"Let there be healing."
"Let there be restoration."
"Let there be new beginnings." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The same God who spoke stars into existence is speaking over your life right now.
The Word became flesh (John 1:14) — Jesus Himself — to prove that God doesn’t just command from afar; He steps into our world to redeem it from the inside out.

Think about this:
Are there places in your life still covered in "darkness"? Maybe God is waiting for your surrender so He can whisper, "Let there be light" — and create something new.

The Blessing of Divine Obedience

Mary’s surrender didn't make her life easier. It made it fuller. Her "yes" ushered in the Savior of the world. She may not have understood it all, but she trusted the One who did.

On the other hand, Jonah tried the opposite. He ran. He fought. He delayed. And eventually found himself swallowed by a giant fish — proof that delayed obedience often just leads to unnecessary storms. Jesus, however, showed us what true obedience looks like. He said, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me." (John 4:34) Obedience wasn’t just a duty for Him. It was His delight.

Samuel said it best long ago: "To obey is better than sacrifice." (1 Samuel 15:22–23)
Partial obedience — doing half of what God asks — isn’t obedience at all. It’s just dressed-up disobedience.

Ask yourself quietly:
Is there anything I’m holding back?
Is there a part of me that’s obeying only halfway?

How to Live a "Let It Be" Life

Saying “let it be” once is brave.
Living it daily is where the real journey begins.

• Pray the Scriptures: Let God's promises shape what you desire.

• Act Quickly: When God nudges your heart, respond immediately. Don't wait until it feels safe.

• Praise Before the Breakthrough: Even in the middle of the prison, Paul and Silas sang. (Acts 16)

Obedience may not always be easy, but it’s always worth it.
And somewhere along the way, you’ll find that surrender isn’t losing your life — it’s finding it.

Closing Prayer

"Father, give me Mary’s courage to say 'let it be' when You call.
Give me faith when I’m afraid, and trust when I don’t understand.
Make my heart soft to Your will.
Let Your plans take root in my life, just like they do in heaven.
In Jesus’ name, Amen."

Memory Verse

"Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10)

Final Thought

Mary didn’t know all the details.
She didn't have a five-year plan or a guarantee of comfort.
All she had was a heart willing to trust.

And with that one surrendered "yes," the world changed forever.

Maybe today, God is standing before you, quietly asking for the same.
What could happen if you simply said, "Let it be"?