December 21, 2003

Luke 1:39-45

    Mary didn't waste a minute. She got up and traveled to a town in Judah in the hill country, [40] straight to Zachariah's house, and greeted Elizabeth. [41] When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb leaped. She was filled with the Holy Spirit, [42] and sang out exuberantly,

    You're so blessed among women,
        and the babe in your womb, also blessed!
    [43] And why am I so blessed that
        the mother of my Lord visits me?
    [44] The moment the sound of your
        greeting entered my ears,
    The babe in my womb
        skipped like a lamb for sheer joy.
    [45] Blessed woman, who believed what God said,
        believed every word would come true!

[The Message]

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1. What do you believe GOD has said that will come true, no matter how dim a reflection it is at present?

Further, can you believe its coming true comes through you?

If, "yes" to the first and "yes" to the next - how blessed are you!

2. Sound pollution is real. This makes it extremely difficult to hear the important sounds of life. We learn to mask our face and voice to not give anything away, to retain a bit of control because no one can read us. It seems life has come down to a metaphor of poker which is so popular on some cable channels. Poker-faced bluffing is essential to winning the ante, raises and checks. Control is found in what you don't do rather than in what you do do.

This week can you slow down enough to listen for the sounds of life that bring you joy? and respond to them?

3. I am tempted to think that Mary had pooh-poohed the miraculousness of Elizabeth's pregnancy when first she heard of it. Mary seems to be a bright girl and could think of any number of explanations for such an old relative to become pregnant.

Now she has an equally miraculous happening in her life. Young and old, married and not quite, Mary and Elizabeth find their lives entwined.

May you hustle to the one you have doubted and celebrate now being a better listener. This relational interface is a moment of confession and forgiveness that bonds us together in new ways and across every previous barrier or boundary.