Mary's Song

And Mary said,

    I'm bursting with God-news;
       I'm dancing the song of my Savior God.
       God took one good look at me, and look what happened—
       I'm the most fortunate woman on earth!
    What God has done for me will never be forgotten,
       the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others.
    His mercy flows in wave after wave
       on those who are in awe before him.
    He bared his arm and showed his strength,
       scattered the bluffing braggarts.
    He knocked tyrants off their high horses,
       pulled victims out of the mud.
    The starving poor sat down to a banquet;
       the callous rich were left out in the cold.
    He embraced his chosen child, Israel;
       he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.
    It's exactly what he promised,
       beginning with Abraham and right up to now. (Luke 1:46-55 The Message)

Today is Taryn's birthday. Each year on this day, like most mothers, I reflect back to the nine months I was pregnant with her and the day she was born. I was so naive and inexperienced but also so happy. When our first grandchild, Parker, was born in May, those long forgotten memories resurfaced as I experienced his birth. It brought back the sheer joy of a new life. “I'm bursting with God - news.”(Luke 1:46)

During Advent, I think about Mary a lot. She was a 17 year old virgin who just found out that she was pregnant with the Son of God. What thoughts were racing through her young mind? What feelings were surfacing in her heart? We find out in Luke chapter 1. First of all she says ‘..okay, Lord.' “I am the Lord's servant.” (Luke 2:38) Later in Luke 1: 46-49 we see her joy and acceptance.

Mary may have been young but she was very in touch with God and His will for her life. She was faced with an uncertain future but she was open, accepting of her Lord's plan. She felt like “the most fortunate woman on earth.”(Luke1:48) I am in awe of her emotional and spiritual maturity.

Mary's attitude is a wonderful example for us to follow when we face uncertainty in our lives. We need:

• to recognize God's hand in our circumstance. (Nothing comes to us that does not pass through God's hands first.)
• to be joyful and content with our circumstances (Philippians 4:11)
• to give God the glory
• to allow Him to use us for His glory

You may be thinking, yes, but Mary was handpicked by God. “God took one good look at me and looked what happened” (49) Now, I want you to put your name where the “me” is in that verse. “God took one look at Phyllis and look what happened.” God has handpicked each of us to do His will. When we give God control of our lives, He does amazing things. We need to be like Mary and open our heart and mind to what His will is.

During this Advent season, take some time and visit Mary's Song in Luke. Remember Mary's circumstances, reflect on God's hand on her life and then ask God what His will is for you.

Phyllis Smith