A Singing Soul

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,’  Luke 1:46-47 (NIV)

The pregnant Mary breaks out into song.  Her heart wells up with at all the expressions of love and favor she has found in the Lord.  Her soul overflows with joy and she bursts out in praise towards God in Heaven.  If we are going to contemplate the Presence of an unseen God, should we also consider the effect He would have upon normal people who come into contact with Him?  Should we examine the reactions of others to see if they are good and worthy experiences to seek also for ourselves?  Shall we weigh whether or not our own hearts could receive some blessing by coming into an awareness of the Presence of God?

Mary´s song of praise says that her soul reaches out to glorify the Lord.  Her spirit rejoices in God her Savior!  Here is a person like us who has just been blessed by witnessing the mighty arm of the Lord.  Mary has been show how God is moving in her life.  He has conveyed to her His good intentions towards ordinary people.  She has had a first-hand experience with the Creator!  He demonstrated to her His mighty power and His Presence here at work in His creation.  She was brought into an actual awareness of Him!  And her soul sang!  Her spirit broke out in praise!

Do we experience joy like that?  Does our soul soar with songs of praise?  Do we sense the spirit inside our heart bursting out in celebration for the things we experience?  Or does our joy come more from our heads?  Do we weigh the pros and cons and decide whether or not something is good for us?  Do we look and see if something is really beneficial to us and when we are satisfied that it is, then we are finally happy?  Are we wary only to allow ourselves to feel content when it looks to us like nothing bad is found in whatever it is that we are experiencing?  Could it be because we have not yet come face to face with the Divine?  Is it possible that we are trying to hold all the cards with our own intelligence?  Are we reluctant to let go and allow a Higher Being to move into focus in conscious awareness?

What do we think we would experience if we did?  If we were able to gain enough control over our own will to open our hearts to the Presence of God, what might our reaction be to what we would experience?  Should our mortal souls be able to contain all that they might feel?  Would our spirit be able to capture all the love and good will that would be shown to them at the awareness of Him?  If our eyes were opened and we could see the mighty arm of the Lord truly at work in our lives, do we think we would be moved to songs of praise?  Does this sound like a positive enough reason to try?  Could we afford to seek a little of this awareness for ourselves?  Would we like to know how our heart and soul will react when and if God really does touch us in a personal Way?

Dear Lord, we read of the reaction others have had when they experienced you.  We too are curious.  What sensations will sweep over us if we too came into contact with You?  Please open our hearts and souls so that we also may experience a little of that wonder today.  Move into the area of our conscious awareness.  Sweep over us with Your Presence.  Then prepare our hearts to be filled with the same kind of praise and joy that Mary felt before us.

Amen