And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant1 of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Lk. 1:38 ESV)

If one popular song were chosen to characterize the American ideal of rugged individualism, it might be Frank Sinatra’s “My way.”

I’ve lived a life that’s full
I’ve traveled each and every highway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

We teach our children from a very young age to dream big: “You can be anything you want.” We advertise the Army to our young men and women, “Be all you can be!”

Against that backdrop, I recall Dr. Brannan as a Naval chaplain telling us, “The Bible’s model for success is seen most clearly in one young girl’s prayer, ‘Let it be to me according to your word.’” It is this utter abandonment of one’s own will and total submission to the will of God that marks success in God’s eyes. And Chaplain Brannan urged us all the time to pray those same words and allow God to shape our souls to become good and faithful servants.

Now that is countercultural!