31 Days: Pathway to Perseverance - Sing a New or Old Song

I often wish I could be a songwriter. Two creative arts most dear to my heart, words and music are fused.  But maybe there is a songwriter in all of us. It doesn't have to be a top seller or seal a record deal, the words and music should sound like our soul externalized. 

When I think of the beauty of music from the very innermost of one's being, I remember the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel, who after frightening the life out of Mary, calms her heart and shares God's plan for Mary's life and the birth of Jesus. Mary then goes to visit her relative, Elizabeth who also has a miracle story about her pregnancy.  When Mary and Elizabeth get together, they did not throw a baby shower, or visit the neighbors, or go shopping at the local market, or anything that one might do when visiting a pregnant relative. The Bible says that Elizabeth extolled Mary and then Mary's heart bubbled over in song.

Mary sang a new song that was written entirely on her heart and literally flowed out of her. It is a song of praise that has transcended time and not only carried Mary through the challenging road she has in front of her, but to those of us who have come behind, her song brings encouragement to help us to continue on our own spiritual journey.

I am sure that Mary did not worry about the exactness of the prose, or the particular lilt or rhyme of the words, she simply sang praises to God.  We can sing a new song too.  It is guaranteed to be beautiful to God, even if you can't carry a tune. Just sing, sing out loud. And, write your song down so that when you need to look back for encouragement you will remember the moment that like Mary, your heart burst forth with praise.

Mary’s Song

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
For the Mighty One has done great things for me —Holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to 
Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
Luke 1:46-55

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