<“Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart”
Ponder is not an often used word in my daily speech.
Truth is, I see little usage of the word or concept in fast pace culture.
Sure, I often say, “let me think about it.” I find that is often a polite way of saying no to a financial gift plea or to a request for my time. In such cases, I don’t ponder long enough.
There is nothing instant about ponder. That why my previous generation spoke of chewing over an idea, ruminating (as a cow does with grass), or kicking around an idea. All three make colorful pictures.
My definition of ponder is to spend extensive time asking, “What is the meaning?” I want to loop a thought around and around through my mind as it plays repeatedly. I want to look at the idea from different angles and different points of view. I want to ponder on how I should respond to a suggested thought or action.
Perhaps one of the greatest understatements of all history took place in relation to a donkey barn.
A virgin fertilized by the Holy Spirit gives birth to a perfect baby. A brilliant star from the heavens marks the location. God’s glory shines, an angel appears and speaks, Shepherds visit, God makes alive a prophecy, the baby Messiah wrapped in rags sleeps on straw, a host of Angels appears on earth and begins to sing, and wise men visit.
The child receives the name Jesus.
After leaving the barn, Joseph and Mary took their newborn baby to the Temple for the purification rites. They heard the praise of Anna the prophet and listened to the prophet Simeon as he took the baby Christ into his arms:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”
The new babe’s mother “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
Had I been in Mary’s place I might have done some pondering myself.
Surely, Mary played repeatedly in her mind the “What does this mean tape?”
Mary set the example for believer of all ages. She pondered over the meaning and the events involved in God becoming man on earth.
I too need to ponder the meaning of the same event.
I don’t want to spend my time trying to understand how God orchestrated a once-in-history virgin birth. I would rather live its results than attempt to explain how it happened.
I want to following in the example of Mary and ponder on the grandeur of the event.
What does it mean for me? Is it possible for the God of creation to know who I am and to have had my name on His lips when He orchestrated birth, life, death, and resurrection?
How can I be blessed so overwhelmingly to be a receiver of the miracle Mary pondered?
Like Mary–2000 years later–I ponder over God’s grace in the donkey barn.
Is it possible that even prior to the barn, He knew my name would appear on the roll of His church?
Stay tuned.
Gary J. Sorrells – Reflection on Cross Church
God Reflection 