I wrote my first music after I was 19 years outdated. I bear in mind how nervous I used to be to play and sing it in entrance of individuals for the primary time. My arms shook, and my voice might barely sing the lyrics. I felt crippled by an awesome feeling of inadequacy. I stored considering to myself, “If solely I used to be older and wiser, then certainly I might really feel worthy to be on this stage.”
Now, right here I’m a long time later, nonetheless sharing songs and feeling simply as insufficient as I did then, if no more so. However I’ve discovered this secret that makes all of the distinction on the planet: The songs I raise to God don’t have anything to do with my worthiness however the whole lot to do with His worthiness.
One of many oldest and holiest hymns within the historical past of Christianity was spoken and captured by a younger Hebrew woman named Mary. Her life was eternally altered when an angel visited her and instructed her that she was chosen to be the mom of God. It’s simple to think about how insufficient Mary should have felt listening to this from the angel.
In Luke 1:46-55, what’s known as the Magnificat, we learn her response. We have now no motive to consider Mary was conscious her phrases can be remembered by anybody, a lot much less that they’d be recorded in God’s Phrase. Somewhat than questioning her adequacy and suggesting to this celestial messenger how unprecedented or inconvenient this is perhaps for her, she responded in full submission: “Behold, I’m the servant of the Lord; let it’s to me based on your phrase” (Luke 1:38).
Mary’s response to this invitation displays a lifetime of yielding to the glory of God. Her fuller response is superbly captured in her music:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
For he has regarded on the common-or-garden property of his servant.
For behold, to any extent further all generations will name me blessed;
For He who’s mighty has completed nice issues for me,
And holy is his identify (Luke 1:46-49).
Because the passage continues, Mary recounts fantastic deed after fantastic deed, reflecting on God’s faithfulness and dedication to the individuals of Israel.
As we take into account simply these first few verses, what can we see about Mary’s music that may encourage the same music in us? What can we study Mary’s coronary heart that may encourage our personal hearts in the present day?
First, the aim of our lives is to enlarge our God. Mary knew this. She had been raised in a God-honoring dwelling. Her household had diligently stored the Passover her entire life, and he or she understood what it meant to be half of a selected individuals, set aside to signify God. However extra than simply representing her God, Mary needed her soul to enlarge the Lord. Echoing the music of King David, Mary proclaims that she too desires her complete being for use to inform God’s redemptive story and to proclaim the superb works he has completed.
After we take into account Mary’s music, we should ask ourselves, “What does my life enlarge?” When somebody leaves my presence after spending an hour or two with me, are they stirred from the dialog we shared to replicate on God’s greatness? Or do I too usually enlarge the woes of this life, the busyness of my schedule, and the anxiousness of residing in a damaged world?
I don’t consider Mary had a pain-free life by any means. However, in her music, Mary chooses pleasure and gratitude. Mary chooses to enlarge God by rejoicing in God her Savior. It’s not her worthiness that she clings to however God’s worthiness.
Second, the posture of our lives have to be humility. Mary refers to her humble property, recognizing how odd it was that the Maker of the Universe would select a lowly commoner to carry him into the very world he created. Mary additionally refers to herself because the Lord’s servant. What does it imply for Mary, and for us, to stay as a servant of the Lord?
The Apostle Paul serves as one other illustration of 1 who usually boasts of his newfound identification as a servant of Christ. How is he capable of rejoice in such a lowly title? Paul didn’t take into account his servitude to Christ as restrictive or demeaning, however relatively releasing and purposeful. Paul had identified what it meant to be captive to religiosity. Paul now rejoices within the freedom present in being launched from these chains and changing into a servant of Christ.
Can we, like Mary and like Paul, see that life aside from serving Jesus is void of that means or function? Are we humbled to a spot of gratitude and dependence, resting on Jesus’ worthiness and never our personal, after we take into account all that the Lord has completed for us?
Lastly, God’s plan for our lives is bigger than our personal. Mary exclaims that “to any extent further all generations will name me blessed.” This isn’t an announcement of delight. Mary has already recounted her unworthiness. This assertion is a recognition that God’s plan is far larger than any plan she could have had for herself. It’s unclear to what stage Mary understood the affect of what was occurring to her, however she was conscious that God was calling her to one thing extraordinary. So, to those that sing, “Mary, do you know?”, the reply is undoubtedly sure!
God was inviting Mary to be a part of His higher redemptive narrative. Have you ever ever skilled the clear calling to step into God’s plan, to play a task that He has uniquely designed for you? Like Mary, God’s name on our lives doesn’t at all times come at a handy time or with a full set of blue prints. Are we keen to affix him anyway, to step out in religion? It’s not our worthiness that impacts technology upon technology, however God’s promise fulfilled by way of us!
Because the music of Mary leads you thru this Introduction season, I pray that you’ll marvel on the Phrase that grew to become flesh to dwell amongst us. I pray that you’ll behold the delivery of Christ, totally God and totally man, and be in awe because the shepherds as soon as have been, overwhelmed by the considered peace on earth and goodwill to males.
And most of all, I pray that you’ll give up once more your life to the God of Mary’s music, asking him to be magnified by way of all you say and do that Introduction season. Could we be vivid lights shining for Christ’s glory, not due to our worthiness, however due to his!
Laura Story Elvington is a Bible instructor, worship chief, Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter, and bestselling creator. She has served as a worship chief at Perimeter Church in Atlanta since 2005.
Learn the earlier articles in our Blessed Amongst Girls collection right here:
Blessed Among Women: A New Series Celebrating the Witness of Mary
