Young People's Group

TAKING TIME TO REFLECT

by Pastor Mitch
December 29, 2013

Post Christmas And Year End Contemplations

2013 is almost coming to an end. It is challenging to see how the year just whizzed by in what seems like only a moment. Christmas is now over and we are entering into the final leg of this year. It is important for us to take time to reflect over 2013 and to remember what the Lord has done for us. There are many events and lessons that we can muse over and rejoice in. There was the Church Family Camp where we were taught about being fishers of men. There was also our momentous 40th Church anniversary which we celebrated in a most wonderful and meaningful manner. Of course, there was the recent Youth Conference and the Christmas activities that brought a great sense of joy to our heart. Unless we take some time to reflect and ponder over them and the many lessons we have learnt, these would only be passing events and thoughts that would become a fading memory. Let’s take time to reflect over the year and appreciate what the Lord God has blessed us with.

The Example Of Mary In Taking Time To Ponder

The physician Luke noted for us how the mother of the Lord Jesus took time to ponder over the events that happened with regards to Him.

1. Pondering And Keeping

“But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” 
Luke 2:19

The word “pondered” in the Greek means to “bring together in one’s mind”. It is to piece things together as one muses over what has been seen and learnt. Mary had depth in what she reflected on. Her Magnificat in the text of Luke 1:46-55 reflected one who had depth of thought and response to the Lord. She was able to bring together all the things that happened about the Lord Jesus and kept them in her heart. Her encounter with the angel Gabriel, her visit with Elisabeth, the virgin birth, the visit of the shepherds and the announcement of the angels were all highly valued memories and truths to be kept. The shepherds made widely known the saying concerning the Lord Jesus. But Mary chose to ponder and to keep them in the heart. Pondering and keeping go very much together. Mary took time to ponder further over what she had heard. Let’s also take time to ponder over all that we have heard and seen this year. Let’s specially keep them in our heart.

2. Continuing In Pondering And Keeping

“But [Mary] kept all these things in her heart” 
Luke 2:51

Mary continued in pondering and keeping of all that she had seen and heard about the Lord Jesus. As Jesus grew, she was able to see how her Son was growing in definite ways. After being anxiously searched for in Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus spoke to Joseph and Mary about how they would have easily found Him if they understood that He would be about His Father’s business at the temple. Of course, they did not understand what He was saying. Mary continued to reflect over all that He had said and what was happening concerning her Son. There are many deep things to understand about the Lord Jesus. Let’s also seek to continue to ponder and reflect over the things that we have learnt about the Lord Jesus. Let’s make this into a habit. Young people, even as we reflect over 2013 and enter into 2014, let’s hold fast to the Lord Jesus and all the truths that we have learnt about Him that they may remain in our heart and life.

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