Mary's Song

During today's message at LifeBridge, Senior Minister, Rick Rusaw focused this Christmas message on the angel's message to Mary and Mary's response. He read Luke 1:35- 38,
"The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God."
"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Something occurred to me that I had never thought about before. God never intended any one of s to go through our lives and journeys of faith alone. There are many examples of people on their journeys of faith with God: Adam and Eve, Moses and Aaron (Jethro, too), Esther & Mordecia, David and Jonathan, Paul and Barnabas, as well as Jesus and his 12 disciples. The Christmas story holds yet one more example of friendships and faith. I wonder if it gave Mary great comfort to know that she was not the only one experiencing a miracle? Elizabeth was Mary's partner through this difficult time. Mary had a lot of explaining to do and I'm sure there were many in disbelief in her little town as to the truth of her tails: a virgin pregnant? But Elizabeth believed. She, too was experiencing a miracle. And, it is after Mary's first conversation (and reassurance, I imagine), that Mary writes her song of praise. (See Below)
Having a friend of faith with her on this journey might have given Mary the courage to praise God. Although Mary was a willing servant, she learned to praise God after her friend and mentor, Elizabeth, reminded her that this is not just duty, but a blessing and an adventure in God's story.

Are you on the faith journey with friends who will remind you to praise the work God is doing and not simply dutifully go about your service? When God directs your path, like he did Mary's, you may follow, but do you praise him for the story he is writing in your life?

Mary's Song
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.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in theirin mostt thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers."