And Mary said: “My soul ‘glorifies’ the Lord and my spirit ‘rejoices’ in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.” Luke 2:46-48 (highlights mine)
I hadn’t seen granddaughter Gema for about a week. She had been out of town with her family for Thanksgiving. While my mind doesn’t constantly think about her, it surely ‘rejoiced’ when the door to the church opened last night and she walked through. I had been standing by it when we suddenly met face to face. I smiled! I asked her if she was looking forward to Friday’s game.
Gema is a Varsity Cheerleader for Venice High School. The football team has been knocking down opponents this year and are headed to a final regional playoff game before the State Finals this Friday. Another championship for the school would be cool. But the football team is no longer first place in my ‘priority of thought.’ I go to the games to watch Gema cheer! She does it VERY well.
All 4 of my kids were involved in Venice High School football. My girls cheered and my sons played. And while a State Championship is in the rear-view mirror of their minds, they don’t think about it much. Just like I don’t see Gema as only a cheerleader. Moving through the stages of life, my mind shifts in and out, off and on, about what, and how she, and my others, are doing. Not so with God!
Today’s verses are called Mary’s Magnificat. It is the combination of words that came from her lips, concerning the experience she had when the baby within Elizabeth (John) leapt for joy in the presence of ‘Jesus’ in her own womb. It was the stark realization that something BIG was about to happen. Not to just ANYONE, but to HER! Her speech is recited at Christmastime, for a good reason.
I am a human, with little capacity for complete concentration, on ANY one thing, for a long time. My mind slips from one grandchild to the next, then to ‘what’s for dinner?’ My mind is NOT like the mind of God. He has ETERNITY to think on EVERYTHING…INDIVIDUALLY, and ALL THE TIME! My dad had tried to explain that concept to me as a kid, but it blew my mind so much, I couldn’t comprehend it.
But look here! It is presented as Biblical evidence! I thought hard about that verse. God’s mind was, and had been, FULL OF MARY! Then the Holy Spirit tapped me in the nether regions of my head and heart and said… “That’s how I think about YOU TOO… ALWAYS! My mind is ALWAYS FILLED with YOU!” Suddenly, Emmanuel (God with us) took on a whole new meaning. I am ALWAYS on His mind!
I need to stop now, because my mind is blown! I am hoping yours is too. Because YOU are ALWAYS on His mind! Does YOUR mind and spirit glorify and rejoice In Jesus? Why take a moment and not think about that?
