Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/1056515
25 22 20 December Dan Steiner, ThM Mentoring Director Pausing and Pondering A lot had happened in the previous nine months. It all began back in Nazareth with an intrusive announcement from an angel and culminated in Bethlehem with shepherds running into the night to tell others about the birth of her baby. e previous day had been a whirlwind, and now that the dust was finally settling, Mary was left to her own thoughts. In that moment, she did what anyone should do in a situation such as this: she paused and she pondered. Mary probably had a stronger sense than anyone about what was actually taking place, and if anyone was entitled to worry about what would come next, she was that person. She sifted through all manner of thoughts in her heart: the questions that confronted her, the blessings to rejoice over, the concerns that lurked at the edge of her conscious, and the musings regarding what was next. Yet rather than plan or fix or worry or doubt, she paused and she pondered. Advent is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a time of doubt and uncertainty. During a season marked by the distractions of coming and going, gathering and celebrating, and shopping and wrapping, what role should pausing and pondering have in your life? Like Mary we have varied thoughts that need to be sifted, pondered, and given space in our mind and heart. While the temptation to scurry from one activity to the next is ever before us, perhaps what we need most is the inactivity of pausing and pondering. Ships don't accidentally drift into the safety of a port; they tend to drift out to sea. In the same way, it is unlikely you will accidentally find yourself pausing and pondering. Reflection takes a good deal of intentionality in this age of noise, busyness, and social media. Don't wait until after Christmas to reflect. Take some time today to pause and ponder the circumstances of your life and how the coming of a baby 2,000 years ago can help give those thoughts perspective and place within God's redemptive story. "BUT MARY TREASURED UP ALL THESE THINGS AND PONDERED THEM IN HER HEART." - LUKE 2:19