I like how Luke's portrayal of Mary shows her obedience while at the same time seeking more information. "How can this be...?" v. 34
I have an unrelated question, though, about the title of this day's message. It has been on my mind for a while. The Bible and we Christians often use the word heart to describe a feature of humanity that is quite mysterious. Does anyone have a synonym or description for these hearts that are "questioning"? This heart is so important to our faith. Is there another word that can unlock this mystery for me as I "thank (God) for the mystery of our days".
Amy, for what it is worth, in biblical days, the heart was not the seat of deep emotion, that was the bowels. Interesting how they used a different body part than we. The heart was the seat of one's emotion-and-thought ladened will or intention. Given that, it raises a whole new set of questions. Okay, that's more like a definition than a synonym. My bad.
I think questions are good, and for most of us, necessary for us to grow in faith. Questions help us to think, to analyze, to delve deeper, to imagine. They help us define and own concepts, to crystallize our thoughts, to learn from others - I could go on. While sometimes it feels it would be nice to get the answers, I don't really think they are always necessary. If we had all the answers, then would our faith grow? What we do need, as this devotional passage reminds us, is someone to be with us during the journey. And thankfully, we have that reassurance!
Oh, I like your insight, Gina! It IS good to question, but the process may, indeed, be more important than the answers. I have found that to be true as I have been reading these devotional entries. How about Jesus being Immanuel, "God with us"? Isn't He awesome?!
I really enjoyed this entry. I imagine Mary had more questions, but she did seem to exemplify a fairly prompt "yes" response to God's call.
I wonder how I would respond if an angel suddenly appeared before me, telling me that I were amazing and perfectly suited for a special role in God's plan. Okay, that part would probably feel pretty good.
Would I be afraid of the angel? In Biblical passages, angels always seem to include a "Fear not" in their greetings, so perhaps their brilliance is intimidating. Most of us today have seen special effects, such as in "Star Wars," IMAX theaters, or clever magicians, so I wonder if we would respond as reverently and fearfully as people did in Bible times. I hope I would be wise enough to be reverent.
But, if that angel followed with a description of the role God had in mind for me, AND that role was seeming physically impossible for me, AND that role would get me in big trouble with my family and community, maybe to the point of being executed--well, I think I'd have some concerns about that. Maybe I could help brainstorm some other possible solutions. . . .
Perhaps Mary had been raised with such a longing for a Messiah that she was excited to think she could be a part of that promise coming true. She certainly embraced the concept from one of my favorite hymns, "I Surrender All."
I'm not there yet. I think I want to be that willing to surrender all to God's call, but I want to know the FULL job description and feel comfortable with it before I say yes. I can't remember any Biblical narratives that work like that, though.
I like how Luke's portrayal of Mary shows her obedience while at the same time seeking more information. "How can this be...?" v. 34
I have an unrelated question, though, about the title of this day's message. It has been on my mind for a while. The Bible and we Christians often use the word heart to describe a feature of humanity that is quite mysterious. Does anyone have a synonym or description for these hearts that are "questioning"? This heart is so important to our faith. Is there another word that can unlock this mystery for me as I "thank (God) for the mystery of our days".
I think questions are good, and for most of us, necessary for us to grow in faith. Questions help us to think, to analyze, to delve deeper, to imagine. They help us define and own concepts, to crystallize our thoughts, to learn from others - I could go on. While sometimes it feels it would be nice to get the answers, I don't really think they are always necessary. If we had all the answers, then would our faith grow? What we do need, as this devotional passage reminds us, is someone to be with us during the journey. And thankfully, we have that reassurance!
I really enjoyed this entry. I imagine Mary had more questions, but she did seem to exemplify a fairly prompt "yes" response to God's call.
I wonder how I would respond if an angel suddenly appeared before me, telling me that I were amazing and perfectly suited for a special role in God's plan. Okay, that part would probably feel pretty good.
Would I be afraid of the angel? In Biblical passages, angels always seem to include a "Fear not" in their greetings, so perhaps their brilliance is intimidating. Most of us today have seen special effects, such as in "Star Wars," IMAX theaters, or clever magicians, so I wonder if we would respond as reverently and fearfully as people did in Bible times. I hope I would be wise enough to be reverent.
But, if that angel followed with a description of the role God had in mind for me, AND that role was seeming physically impossible for me, AND that role would get me in big trouble with my family and community, maybe to the point of being executed--well, I think I'd have some concerns about that. Maybe I could help brainstorm some other possible solutions. . . .
Perhaps Mary had been raised with such a longing for a Messiah that she was excited to think she could be a part of that promise coming true. She certainly embraced the concept from one of my favorite hymns, "I Surrender All."
I'm not there yet. I think I want to be that willing to surrender all to God's call, but I want to know the FULL job description and feel comfortable with it before I say yes. I can't remember any Biblical narratives that work like that, though.