The Magnificat

 A couple of nights ago, we read The Magnificat, said by Mary in the scriptures, when her life had taken an amazing turn.  My heart has been pondering Mary's response to God's sovereignty ever since.  Many have tried to depict in movies and stories what Mary's behaviors and thoughts would have been  in the days to follow such an announcement, made by God's holy messenger.  Would it be fear?  Embarrassment?  Wondering why it had to be her?  Would she blush as she walked through the marketplace?

She was only human after all.  We tend to put what we would have felt onto her.  And though all of those things are quite possible, scripture only shares this:

"Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to Your Word."

Those words alone stop my heart.  What a submissive spirit!  But God goes further by sharing Mary's moment of worship in The Magnificat.  She's not spending any time in this praise asking God why.  Instead, she's pondering His mighty deeds, His mercy upon His people, and the blessings that she has received from His hand.  She does this in the first few months of the event that will surely change her life forever.  Sad days will come.  Joyous days will come.  Strange days will come.  And she will hide those things in her heart.  But God does not show us a grumble from this woman.  The example He leaves us is that she is His servant. 

As I pondered this and applied it to me, I realize that I spend too many precious prayers asking why and not enough giving Glory to Whom Glory is Due.  May God change my heart to accept His will for my life...as I wait, may I worship! 

After we read The Magnificat, each of us chose a description of God in the passage and wrote it down, and then covered it in glitter.  Then, we each prayed specifically describing God in our prayer the way Mary had described Him.  It was a sweet moment of worship, and a good reminder for this mom. The descriptions of the God we serve are now hanging on the wall.  May God bring it to mind during this busiest of seasons...