Infinitum Advent Suprised by God, Week 4Shembull

Have you ever hugged a tree? Or sat on a park bench purposefully to watch some squirrels? What about laying on your back in the grass to study the clouds? Have you ever tuned into the song of a bird? Nature teems with the majesty of God. When was the last time the beauty of nature caught your breath? These moments mark us. So many aspects of nature are silent, yet they sing of the work of God. Even the most majestic mountain ranges kissed by sunset are intensely organic/simple in their “song.” God has never been limited in what He can use to do His work in the world. Sometimes, the truth of the trees declaring His nature reminds us of how big and beautiful our role as co-creators in the kingdom is. And then there are times when the truth of the stars reminds us of how small we are (and, frankly, unnecessary) in defending the existence of God. When Mary pauses to ponder the surprising work of God, she expresses with such clarity this tension we all share. She sings of God’s surprising notice of her; she acknowledges the largeness of her role in the legacy she will leave; she right-sizes that with the reality that it is God’s work that’s being done without shying away from her part in it. In spite of how often we are pleasantly surprised by God’s work (His methods, timing, scope, partners, etc.), surrendering to Him remains a daily challenge for us. We resonate more with Zecharaiah’s questions than Mary’s declarations. Let’s push in for a moment to ponder some of the assumptions we make that cause tension for us in our journey to surrender: Who are the people most qualified to do God’s work? Why? Who do you know that demonstrates God at work in the world in a way that is different than you might have designed? Is there a place where you’re hesitating to join God in His work because of a question you have about His choice of you as co-creator? What can you receive from Mary’s song (today’s Scripture reading) to shape your acceptance of God’s surprising work in your life?