Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/909943
DECEMBER 15 10 "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."' —Luke 1:46–49 A fter years of battling chronic kidney disease, I received a new kidney. It was unexpected. At my age, having survived a bone marrow transplant two decade earlier, I did not deem myself eligible. I had settled into accepting dialysis as a future constant in my life. It was six months prior to the operation that my doctor shared the news: if a qualified donor came forward, I could receive a transplant. Those months passed quickly. A friend approached and declared, "I'm giving you one of my kidneys." My doctors looked at her (10 years my junior, never smoked or drank, worked as a physical therapist) and set the date. We passed every test. On August 11, 2014, I received a new kidney. As the nurse rolled me out of the hospital, I remember exclaiming: "Oh God, what have You done?" My life, as I had imagined it, had changed. God had changed it. Mary's Song reveals her response to the change God wrought in her life. It is as if, through song, she turns her soul inside out for all to see. What she reveals is as instructive as it is inspiring. • She magnifies God. She gazes upon His greatness. • She marvels at God, that in His greatness He would bless someone of little stature, no social standing. • She praises God for the implications of His act, that future generations will remember and glorify God because of what He has done. • She goes on (in the remainder of the song, verses 50–55) to declare God's greatness as revealed in His character, deeds, and the surety of His promises. When God moves in our lives, how do we respond? If we turned our souls inside out, what song would others hear? Who would our souls magnify, and what would we declare about His greatness? In Mary's Song, she shares her joy. She also models how we might share ours. Moving through this Advent season, we would do well to remember Mary's Song. And, as God fills, restores, and ministers to our souls, we would do well to learn from Mary how to sing. Ted Travis, MDiv Alumnus and Board Member Sing