Singing a Song to the Lord

She could have been overcome with the ambiguities of her future. She could have worried about her own inadequacies (what human could ever be worthy of the task before her?). She could have been consumed with the question of how others would think of her, the sordid conclusions they would draw, and the scorn she might face.

Instead, she sang a song to the Lord who gave her such unbelievable, beautiful, challenging circumstances.

And Mary said,

My soul magnifies the Lord,
 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.

(Luke 1:46-29)

She saw beyond the fickle approval of society. She saw beyond the vague future that loomed before her. She saw beyond herself to the Lord. It was the Lord who had brought her this far. It was the Lord who had chosen her for this task. It was the Lord who would continue to look over her future.

Yes, but what of me? You may whisper. Mary was called to bear the son of God. I have only this child to raise, these dishes to wash, this cubicle job to endure. I have only unseen tasks with no special or spiritual purpose.

The very next line, beloved, speaks to us:

And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation. (Luke 1:50)

Who is it that now lives generations past Mary? Who is it that loves and fears the same mighty Lord? Who is it that still desperately, gratefully receives his mercy?

You. And me.

So today, perhaps we could learn a little from Mary. Whatever it is that tugs on your heart, whatever it is that you might worry about, instead take a breath and sing a song to the Lord. Whether you choose your own words or borrow the words of another, singing to the Lord helps to drive out darkness and strengthen our hearts.

May each of us gaze beyond the uncertainties of our lives and choose to praise the One who watches over us and grants us mercy, just as he did Mary those many years ago.

Photo by Rainier Ridao on Unsplash