Treasuring all these things...
So much of life passes us by with a blink and a nod. Very little acknowledgment beyond the catalog of events we try to maintain. We have so much going on...so many different plates spinning up in the air...different relationships...different activities...different encounters. We are speeding along this fast-track of life...trying to keep our heads above the water and maintain some sort of semblance of peace. But what do we treasure up in our heart? What do we ponder? What do we take out...when all is still and quiet...and reflect upon? What do we examine and recount to learn and grow from?
But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19
Here is Mary. Just a simple young girl who had lived most of her days in humble deference to what society had dictated. Suddenly, that quiet, peaceful existence is replaced by.the divine intervention of heralding angels..an immaculate conception...a surprised wedding...an unexpected trip...a subdued delivery...the arrival of breathless and excited shepherds...and a completely different purpose in life than what she had ever dreamed for herself.
Holding onto that sweet little baby...questioning all that she was...wondering if she would ever be "good enough"...she treasured up all the things that had happened thus far. And she pondered them. They were weighty...not just simple thoughts. The God of the universe...born to set her people free...lying in her arms.
What would this mean for her as a mother...what immense joys were up ahead? What excruciating trials would she endure? What role did she play in the grand scheme of this drama?
Mary did not know all that was in store for her. Yet, as Simeon explained...there would be pain...a sword would pierce through Mary's heart...she was still prepared to obey God. Without full knowledge or understanding. Yet she would obey Him...all the while, quietly reflecting and pondering...growing in understanding as God permitted.
Our lives will not have the same divine disruption. We are not called to the same joys and burdens that Mary endured. But in each of our lives God has disturbed our simple...quiet existence. He has intervened into the monotony of our world and drawn us into the divine. If we look back over the landscape of our days...we too will find those little nuggets of treasures. Times that God showed us a glimpse of His plan. A peek at what He has set apart for us, specifically, to fulfill. An awareness of His presence. A display of His grace. And perhaps even a piercing of our hearts...followed by the comfort of His hand.
Mary was surrounded by different voices...angels...shepherds...Joseph...Elizabeth...Anna...Simeon...but she did not allow those to become confused and then discarded. She stopped...and pondered. Treasured. Mulled them over. Meditated on each of them. Making a memory in her heart that she could return to. Empowering her to obey even through the toughest of circumstances.
What is it that we will treasure up in our hearts? Being specific to take note of the presence of God in our lives...how will we recollect upon them? We...like Mary...cannot see what lies ahead. But we do have the treasures that would embolden us to walk confidently in the knowledge of His faithfulness.
Treasure all these things up in your heart.
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