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Mary: A Quiet Reflective Heart

Explore the lessons from Mary's quiet and reflective heart in this series on renewal. Discover the deliberate disciplines and devotion to Scripture that can lead to a deeper connection with God.

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Mary: A Quiet Reflective Heart

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  1. Mary: A Quiet Reflective Heart Reflections for Renewal Series [1] Luke 1:26-56

  2. REFLECTIONS FOR RENEWAL SERIES • Mary • A Poet • The Shepherds • A Sage • Moses • Paul • Barnabas

  3. REFLECTIONS FOR RENEWAL SERIES • Mary: A Quiet Reflective Heart (Luke 1:26-56) • A Poet: Attentiveness to God (Psalm 119:25-40) • The Shepherds: Spreading the Good News (Luke 2:1-20) • A Sage: The Wisdom of Roots (Psalm 1) • Moses: A Heart of Wisdom (Psalm 90) • Paul: Training for Godliness (1 Corinthians 9:24-27) • Barnabas: A Gift of Encouragement (Acts 9:19-31)

  4. WHAT KIND OF HEART WOULD YOU LIKE? Noisy Muddled Heart Quiet Reflective Heart Simple: one unifying voice “Relinquish more” Effective—not necessarily busy Calm Inner Focus • Complex: conflicting voices • “Retain more” • Busy—not necessarily effective • Frantic • Outer Focus

  5. MARY’S HEART: THE SOURCE OF MARY’S MAGNIFICAT • Who was Mary? • An ordinary teenage girl. • Externally neither outstanding nor noteworthy. • God’s sovereign choice and favor [Mary didn’t earn or deserve it] • What does the Magnificat reveal about Mary? “Magnificat anima mea Dominum…” (Luke 1:46, Latin version) • Her quiet reflective heart. • Her exceptional devotion to Scripture. • Her mature understanding of God and His kingdom.

  6. FOUR LESSONS FROM MARY’S QUIET REFLECTIVE HEART FOR OUR RENEWAL • A quiet reflective heart is NOT a result of an environmentbut a result of deliberate disciplines of heart (v. 29, Luke 2:19, 51). 28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"  29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. Luke 1:28-29

  7. FOUR LESSONS FROM MARY’S QUIET REFLECTIVE HEART FOR OUR RENEWAL • A quiet reflective heart is NOT a result of an environmentbut a result of deliberate disciplines of heart (v. 29, Luke 2:19, 51). 18And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.  19But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Luke 2:18-19 49And he said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?"  50And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. 51And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. Luke 2:49-51

  8. FOUR LESSONS FROM MARY’S QUIET REFLECTIVE HEART FOR OUR RENEWAL • A quiet reflective heart is NOT a result of an environmentbut a result of deliberate disciplines of heart (v. 29, Luke 2:19, 51). • Mary’s example for us is in this readiness to be used by God—her heart was prepared to receive and do God’s will. • It was NOT a mere personality temperament—it was due to a godly habit of discerning and pondering on God’s work. • In renewal, we are also to engage in these deliberate disciplines: quieting, relinquishing, and discerning in our hearts

  9. FOUR LESSONS FROM MARY’S QUIET REFLECTIVE HEART FOR OUR RENEWAL • The key to cultivating a quiet reflective heart is perpetual devotion to Scripture(vs. 45-56, cf. Psalm 119:97-100). 97Oh how I love your law!  It is my meditation all the day. 98Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. Psalm 119:97-100

  10. FOUR LESSONS FROM MARY’S QUIET REFLECTIVE HEART FOR OUR RENEWAL • The key to cultivating a quiet reflective heart is perpetual devotion to Scripture(vs. 45-56, cf. Psalm 119:97-100). • Mary’s Magnificat is interwoven with the quotations and allusions from the Old Testament (at least 15 of them). • The focus is not on her or her baby but on God’s mighty work through the baby in 3 revolutions: (1) moral (for the humble), (2) social for the helpless), and (3) economic (for the hungry). • In renewal, we are also to practice this daily: loving and meditating on God’s Word as our way of life.

  11. FOUR LESSONS FROM MARY’S QUIET REFLECTIVE HEART FOR OUR RENEWAL 3) A quiet reflective heart requires simple faith and humble submission to God’s will—no matter how absurd it may seem at first (vs. 34,38). 34And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?" 38And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." Luke 1:34, 38 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Proverbs 3:5-7 [MSG]

  12. FOUR LESSONS FROM MARY’S QUIET REFLECTIVE HEART FOR OUR RENEWAL 3) A quiet reflective heart requires simple faith and humble submission to God’s will—no matter how absurd it may seem at first (vs. 34,38). • Mary’s submission was a pre-decision toward God’s Word. • Mary’s posture indicates her deep trust in God’s perfect will and his providential care for her future. • In renewal, we are also to have this attitude: receiving and submitting to God’s Word as his perfect will and care for us.

  13. FOUR LESSONS FROM MARY’S QUIET REFLECTIVE HEART FOR OUR RENEWAL 4) A quiet reflect heart leads us to joy and worship to God(vs. 46-49). 46And Mary said,    "My soul magnifies the Lord,47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,48for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.   For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;49for he who is mighty has done great things for me,   and holy is his name.Luke 1:46-49 • Mary’s faith was not theoretical—it was filled with real JOY! • Her joy was in GOD, which led to magnify the LORD. • In renewal, by faith we are also to rejoice in God and magnify God’s greatness in his revolutionary work.

  14. Beautiful Things Happenby Ruth Harms Calkin O God Such beautiful things happen When I meet You day by day In quietness and confidence. There is a deep inner wholeness And the assurance of Your guidance. I am not so easily disturbed By changing circumstances. I am less dependent on others And more dependent on You. My eyes may be full of tears But my heart is full of joy.

  15. Beautiful Things Happenby Ruth Harms Calkin In discovering Your hidden treasures I learn how deeply I am treasured by You. When day by day I am responsive To Your whispered secrets You do more for me in one day Than I could do for myself in a lifetime.

  16. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1. CREATE A DELIBERATE SPACE to meet with God daily without distraction and hurry in your heart. • This is the discipline of heart: create space, be still, don’t hurry, and lay down all your complex inner voices before God. • Let your heart converse with God through the Word and prayer. 2. COMMIT TO MEDITATING ON SCRIPTURE throughout the day. • Make it your habit to “treasure up” God’s Word in your heart. • Ponder on the Word over and over until it renews your heart. 3. TRUST AND HUMBLY SUBMIT TO God’s will revealed in Scripture and through the leading of the Holy Spirit. • Adopt this posture: “Let it be to me according to your word.” • Follow this joy: “My soul magnifies the Lord… rejoices in God!”

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