Our first thought on this passage might be: Actions speak louder than words. But let’s take it a little deeper.
Most of us were baptized as infants, and somebody else said the “yes” for us. At some point we implicitly said the “yes” – insofar as we chose to continue as members of the Church. But we need to make our “yes” explicit.
Even after we do that, it’s not over. Our decision is a living commitment. It has a life. We can’t simply store it in a safety deposit box.
When the decision becomes my own, there is initial contentment. This may continue for a long time. But I can expect some crises/temptations along the way. I deal with those, and each time it becomes a new decision to be a disciple of the Lord.
During the Advent season, we think about Mary’s ultimate “yes” to God. There is certain exhilaration in making a decision like that, being aware of it along the way, and consciously renewing it from time to time.
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”