“How will this be?”
These were the same words Mary, the mother of Jesus, whispered when the angel of the Lord visited her with a word so divine and destiny-shifting that her humanity had to pause. She had been chosen. Her womb blessed. Her assignment entrusted. And like any of us would, she needed clarity. Before we go deeper, let’s read the scripture together:📖

Luke 1:26–38 (NIV)

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,
27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.
31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.
32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.
37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

When God Speaks, We Ask: How Will This Be?

The year is drawing to an end, and many believers already have a word for the next year—or are expectant for one that will shape the season ahead. Maybe your pastor declared it. Maybe the Holy Spirit whispered it to a friend for you. Maybe it came in prayer, worship, or a moment of refreshing clarity. But here’s the truth:

The moment we receive a word, something in us begins to quietly ask “Lord… how will this be?” Some of us feel guilty for asking. We fear it sounds like doubt. We fear it sounds like unbelief. But Mary, though favored, chosen, aligned Mary still asked. And heaven did not judge her. Heaven answered her. Because clarity is not a sign of doubt. Clarity is a sign of stewardship.

Mary Asked Not Out of Fear, But Alignment

Mary understood biology, she understood timing and she understood purity.

She and Joseph were waiting until marriage. So her question wasn’t rebellion, it was wisdom and the angel provided clarity that anchored her:

• Through societal pressure

• Through the discomfort of pregnancy

• Through traveling heavily pregnant

• Through giving birth in a manger

• Through raising the Messiah

That clarity became her internal compass because, it steadied her, strengthened her and it allowed her to carry her seed with understanding and honor.

Your Word for the Year Needs the Same Stewardship

A prophetic word is not something to shout about and forget. It is something to return to the Father for instruction, because every divine word comes with:

• A process

• A posture

• A partnership

• A pathway

Before this year ends, take your word back to God and ask:

 “Father, how will this be?”
“What role am I to play?”
 “What must I prepare or release?”

“How do I align myself with what You’ve spoken?”

God is not intimidated by your questions. He invites them, He answers them and He uses clarity to anchor your faith throughout your journey. You cannot carry what you do not understand and you cannot steward a promise you haven’t received instruction for.

Food + Faith Spotlight: Njangsa (Ricinodendron heudelotii)

As we begin our Food + Faith series—celebrating the spices of Africa and their God-given healing, we start with a beloved seed used across West and Central Africa:

Introducing Njangsa

Scientific Name: Ricinodendron heudelotii
Common Names: Njangsa, Djansang, Essessang
Used In: Cameroonian, Nigerian, Gabonese, and Central African dishes
Flavor: Nutty, earthy, aromatic; perfect for soups, stews, ndolé, and sauces.

Health Benefits of Njangsa

Findings from the African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, and ethnobotanical studies show that Njangsa:

• Supports heart health due to its healthy unsaturated fats

• Boosts energy through nutrient-dense fatty acids

• Improves digestion and may soothe the gut

• Provides essential minerals like calcium, potassium & magnesium

• Has anti-inflammatory properties supporting joint and muscle health

• Contains antioxidants that help fight cellular damage

This seed has nourished our ancestors for generations and now science is catching up with what our grandmothers already knew. I remember my mom always making a sauce out of this with some tomatoes for Christmas. If you love a recipe with njangsa, please leave a comment and we’ll cook together!

As We Enter the New Year…

May this be the season where you don’t just receive the word, but you understand it,
walk with it, protect it, and birth it in its appointed time. Ask boldly, like Mary:
“How will this be?” and let your Father speak direction into your destiny.

PS: From a Place Called Love❤️