by Ricky Chelette, Executive Director
As we gather the shredded Christmas wrapping paper and stuff it into our Amazon delivery boxes to place at the curb for trash pick up, we know the end of the year is upon us. Any moment in this year seemed to be longer than necessary, but in reality, it has passed like a flash. We have lived, loved, lamented, laughed, and languished in isolation or quarantine more than we could have ever imagined. Some have welcomed new family members into our world, while far too many have bid farewell to those they love. Every moment seemed both forever and instant.
Our news feeds and social media outlets continually bombard us with more information than we can process. Pundits are already telling us what this next year will hold as if they can accurately see the future. They are quick to inform us of our fears and instruct us as to how we should think about everything from social issues to investments to spirituality to interpersonal relationships. But what do I think? Do I even have time to think? I should and I do.
In the endless chorus of noise, I slowed down enough to again visit God’s Word. I was intrigued by a passage in Luke 2. The story is familiar enough and often read and acted out at Christmas in many Christmas pageants. Shepherds are watching their sheep when an angel of the Lord appears to them and tells them of the birth of “Christ the Lord,” who has born in the city of David. They go to Bethlehem and find Mary, Joseph, and the baby just as the angels described. They inform Mary and others who are there of the good news from God. Then Luke 2:18-19 states, “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”
The people “wondered” – they were curious, thought it was interesting, caught their attention in the moment, etc. – but Mary “treasured” and “pondered” these things “in her heart.”
Didn’t Mary know the baby she was carrying was indeed the Son of God? Did she not remember the encounter with the angel nine months earlier (1:28-33) or her meeting with her cousin, Elizabeth? Did she not understand Elizabeth’s declaration that the child Mary was carrying was her Messiah (1:44-45)?
It seems that both spoken word and experience had to collide for Mary to fully understand who Jesus was and what He would ultimately do for humanity. Like most of the disciples, I don’t believe Mary would fully comprehend Christ as Messiah until after His resurrection. However, her ability to endure the pain of Jesus’ ministry and passion was predicated upon her ability to “treasure” and “ponder.”
In a world of screaming soundbites and non-stop information, the ability of any of us to treasure and ponder is slim. How can we make sense of our ever-changing, ever-evolving world?
Might it be that what we all need is not more information but more time to be still and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). We need to ponder the events of our lives, the thoughts we are having, the feelings we are experiencing, and the truths we are embracing. We need to be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19). We need to view our lives not simply for what is happening at a given moment but by what God is trying to accomplish through us or in us. What may appear to be a setback today may be a blessing we haven’t yet realized. God wants to give us insight into our life and world, but illumination generally comes from spirit-filled enlightenment. If we don’t ponder, we rarely see His hand at work.
We also need to treasure the things God has already done. The future is coming; we can’t stop it. But unless we treasure God’s faithfulness in our past, how will we see the hand of God in our future? Ask yourself: Has He saved you? Have you experienced His intervention in your life? Have you been overwhelmed with His presence? Have you discovered His truths to be trustworthy and good? Have you seen Him transform your life or the lives of others in ways that are only explainable by God? The answers are treasured moments to cherish and remember.
As we treasure the faithfulness and dependability of our Father, we can let go of the fear of the future and know that He is already there. We don’t pundits or prognosticators, with faulty predictions. As children of God, we have a Provider and He is working all things out for His glory and our ultimate good. He will see us through, and He will not forsake us.
My prayer is that we will tamp down the noise and distractions of this world. We must ponder God’s movement in our lives based upon the faithfulness we have seen, experienced, read in His Word, and treasured in our hearts. When we do, the days ahead will be filled with God experiences that demonstrate His character and affirm His love and care for each of us. Stop. Ponder. Treasure. He loves you and is for you!