Devotion: Mary Sings
Please take a few moments to read Luke 1:39-56
This past weekend we had the joy of listening to our nearly 60 voice choir and 20 piece orchestra in this year’s Cantata titled Love Made a Way. The immense work of the choir, instrumentalists, technicians and our Director of Music Arts, Molly Schmit, were evident! I hope that you were able to listen to all or a portion of it, as it is a wonderful way to worship God in community.
Music has always played an important role in my life. I sang in school choirs, church choirs, show choirs and played in the band. Even today, I feel closest to God when I am listening to music or making music.
I believe that music provides us a way to worship that is unlike any other. When we unite our voices in song it is not only words that we are expressing, it is also the emotions that connect us to one another as human beings.
Mary shows us this when she sings her praises to God after learning that she will bear the Son of God. The words she proclaims, even when read instead of heard, move our hearts to experience this amazing yet terrifying news along with her. She begins with praise, singing, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”. She continues to proclaim God’s grace, mercy and strength in her song, ending with a reminder that God keeps his promises, always.
As this year’s Cantata proclaimed, Mary’s love made a way for our Savior to come into this world; for God to be made flesh. Likewise, it is our love that makes a way for God to continue working in our world today through each and every one of us.
What song will your heart sing today and what will it proclaim?
May the songs of our everyday lives continue to praise God, knowing that it is his love that makes our lives worth living.
Gracious God, fill our lives with the song of your love. Help us to see that you have made a way for us even through the darkest of times. As we celebrate your love through the birth of Jesus Christ, help us to also proclaim this love to the world. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Written by Pastor Sarah Ruch
Pastor Sarah serves as Sheridan’s Associate Pastor of Local Outreach and Missions. She began her ministry at Sheridan in August of 2022 as Transitional Pastor until October 2022, when she was called as Associate Pastor.
Pastor Sarah lives in Lincoln with her husband Miles, and children; Hannah, Caleb and Aaron.