Surrendering Control This Lent: Entering Into Our Fiat
“Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38).
Editor’s note: Read more about our Lent 2024 theme, “‘Not My Will, but Yours’: Surrendering to the Father During Lent,” here.
It is difficult to let go of control and completely surrender to God. As business professionals, wives, mothers, friends, daughters, and sisters, we often feel like we need to be constantly organized, “on top of things,” and prepared for whatever life throws our way. Ultimately, we are all control freaks to a certain degree.
What if God is calling us to something more this Lenten season? What if He is calling us to let go and let it be, to enter into our fiat like Mary?
“Fiat”: What Does It Mean?
During the Annunciation, the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and shared the Good News that she would carry and bear Jesus, the Savior of the World. Talk about a wrench thrown in your plans! Yet Mary’s answer was so simple and open—a complete surrender to the will of God. “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). This response is often referred to as Mary’s fiat (“let it be done” in Latin). She completely surrendered to God, allowing Him to work in her life the way He best saw fit.
Mary’s resounding “yes” to God is an example to us of the importance of surrender in our own life. It means entering into this mindset of “let it be done” and allowing God to work in our life the way He intends to. It means letting go of our own desires and our own obsessions with control and making room for the Holy Spirit to do His work.
Jesus’ Complete Surrender
Complete surrender doesn’t only apply to Mary’s life. We see acts of complete surrender in the lives of many saints, consistently throughout Sacred Scripture, and specifically through the life of Jesus.
Jesus’ agony in the garden before the Passion showed perfect surrender. He knew what was about to take place, and He asked His Heavenly Father to let this cup pass. Even in this moment of Jesus’ surrender to the will of God, He still showed fear and asked for a relief of suffering. However, He ultimately surrendered to the will of God: “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).
This act of complete surrender didn’t mean it was an easy journey for Jesus. However, it led to a greater good for all: the salvation of humankind.
Surrendering to the Father During Lent
Through the examples of Mary and Jesus, we know that complete surrender to the will of the Father is not an easy task. It can come with pain, suffering, and discomfort, which we naturally fear. However, through this pain and suffering, God brings forth joy and glory, not only to help us and our personal journeys but also to touch the lives of others.
During Lent, we have a special opportunity to enter into this fiat like Mary and Jesus. We have the chance to give up something in our life that is hindering our relationship with God in order to better prioritize our faith and focus on what matters.
What is the Lord calling you to surrender this season? How is He asking you to come closer to Him and find Him in your heart?
Maybe this Lent, we can give up habitual sins and vices in our lives and seek good, true, and beautiful virtues that will bring us closer to Christ. Surrender your time scrolling on your phone or watching mindless television to pick up a new prayer routine or read a spiritual book. However the Lord is asking you to enter into the garden with Him, take it to heart, and explore how you can best suffer alongside Him to bring eternal joy and glorious fruit to your life.
Everyday Surrender
Surrender doesn’t end at Easter! Allow this time of personal reflection, almsgiving, and prayer to help you find ways to surrender every day. If you are a wife and/or mother, how can you surrender in this vocation? Can you give more of your time to your family’s needs? How can you surrender as a single woman? Can you dedicate more time to prayer and supporting your loved ones? How can you surrender in your life as a Catholic businesswoman? Can you let go of perfectionism and surrender your career to the Lord?
Give yourself time and grace this Lent to explore what acts of daily surrender can look like. Then, apply them to your everyday life, even beyond this season. Discuss ways you can implement your fiat with friends, family, or a spiritual mentor to see what areas of your life need your “yes” and how you can make that “yes” every day.
Surrender is not easy. It requires us to let go of control and enter into the unknown. Remember that God is with you every step of the way, and He has a beautiful plan for you and your life. You can’t ruin God’s plans, and He is watching over you every day. May this Lenten season be a time of true self-denial and anticipation for the joy to come.
Marisa McDonald lives in Central Indiana with her husband and energetic German Shepherd pup. She is the Community Manager for a local nonprofit which connects women in the community with professional mentorship opportunities. She aspires to start her own social enterprise or non-profit some day. On weekends, you can find her hiking with her husband and dog throughout Southern Indiana, making meals and hosting family and friends, or heading to the local coffee shop for a latte. Connect with Marisa through Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook.