There are times when over-excitement and passion can cause you to lose good knowledge and life-changing truth.
My over-excitement
I can remember countless times when I have arranged to meet someone, excited to do so and forget to listen intently to the time we should meet.
I would be off to the supermarket and my wife would ask me to get some items, instead of listening to the small details, I nod, then rush off because I am initially excited to get the items I wanted. Then return forgetting to pick it up or I bring the wrong type.
There are elements of business where certain dates are important to send in documents, returns, and accounts. Starting up my business 8 years ago, I was so excited to get off the mark, I forgot and it cost me heavily.
But what about the never-ending
Where my heavy cost was financial, there is a heavy cost eternally for our soul. What should be the proper response to the gospel when we hear it or have been changed by it.
The Christmas story starts with the angels telling the shepherds the good news Luke 2:9-12 The gospel came to the shepherds first then they made it widely known around the inn and surrounding areas. The people “marvelled” says Luke 2:18, they were astounded by the social outcasts of that era talking of such great news.
Meditation of Mary
Let’s see what Mary’s response is…
Luke 2:19 NKJV — “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
After Jesus had been born, new mother Mary was in this stable, with her baby. When the gospel came to Mary her response is one that I really admire. She may have been thinking like a woman who has given birth, “I’m tired, all this excitement is too much to get involved with”. The Bible first tells us that she (“kept”). The word used here for it is ‘syntereo‘. This has the sense of ‘to preserve – a thing from perishing or being lost.
Mary preserved this good news about Jesus, and the peace and goodwill he would bring.
The second part of the scriptures tells us that she (“pondered”) the word used here is ‘symballo’ which is ‘to bring together in one’s mind, confer with one’s self. Mary heard this great message and she conversed with herself, she took the time to dissect and adjust her thinking towards what they were saying.
The centre of us
All this took place in her heart, the place where the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, and endeavours.
The gospel went straight to her heart, causing her to ponder, converse with herself and keep it.
This Christmas season, let the excitement and reality of peace through Jesus cause you to smile and be joyful. However, let’s not negate the power of truth and allow it to set its process out in our hearts. Let’s ponder, converse and confer over the miraculous life, death and resurrection of Jesus in our hearts.
Most importantly let us keep these words and allow the truth to change us into the likeness of the Lord Jesus.
Christmas day is done, but not our mediation on His truth; His word.
