Here is a really good article I recently read in a christian magazine for teen girls called Brio Magazine. It is about being willing to have a servant's attitude towards the Lord, and having our focus be on Him. Enjoy!
Dancing to the Lord's Song
by, Becky Marras
Have you ever found yourself pondering what life was like in ancient Israel during the time of Christ's birth? Come imagine with me...
It's a busy marketplace in the center of Nazareth. Women wander throughout the chaos, showing off their hand-dyed fabrics. Vendors haggle with customers looking for a bargain. Children scamper about, anxiously waiting for someone to drop a fresh orange. Ignoring the pandemonium, a young girl twirls through the alley. She's dancing! To what tune is she dancing? Surely not the grunting of the camels or the cries of the children! The teenage girl takes off her head covering and twirls it about.
The marketplace comes to a standstill. How can someone find peace amid this madness?
A merchant whispers to a fellow vendor, "That's Mary, Joseph's pregnant fiancee. Rumor has it that she's to be stoned next week for her sinful act. What could she have to dance about?"
Mary ignores the stares, whispers and pointed fingers. Some mothers even hide their children from her sight. She doesn't care what the world thinks of her; she's going to live each moment of her life as a praise song to God.
During this holiday season, it's easy to find yourself in a busy marketplace. From Thanksgiving on, society offers us plenty of distractions that could steer us ways from the true meaning of Christmas. In fact, some many criticize us for saying no to another shopping trip or rescheduling the cooking exchange so that we can keep our focus in the birth of the Messiah. Like Mary, the Lord presents us with opportunities to dance for Him this Christmas season. This year, don't let the busy marketplace of this world interupt your dance. May we all have Mary's willingness to adopt a servant's attitude and praise Him with our dance.
It's a busy marketplace in the center of Nazareth. Women wander throughout the chaos, showing off their hand-dyed fabrics. Vendors haggle with customers looking for a bargain. Children scamper about, anxiously waiting for someone to drop a fresh orange. Ignoring the pandemonium, a young girl twirls through the alley. She's dancing! To what tune is she dancing? Surely not the grunting of the camels or the cries of the children! The teenage girl takes off her head covering and twirls it about.
The marketplace comes to a standstill. How can someone find peace amid this madness?
A merchant whispers to a fellow vendor, "That's Mary, Joseph's pregnant fiancee. Rumor has it that she's to be stoned next week for her sinful act. What could she have to dance about?"
Mary ignores the stares, whispers and pointed fingers. Some mothers even hide their children from her sight. She doesn't care what the world thinks of her; she's going to live each moment of her life as a praise song to God.
A Song of Praise
Mary was probably around 16 when she was chosen to be God's ambassador. Luke 1:46-55 gives details of Mary's psalm of praise to God. Mary says, "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior." This reaction completely bows me away. During that time, a pregnant fiancee would most likely be stoned to death or a least condemned by her village for her sin. When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, he introduced her to new life. She could have chosen to begrudgingly accept the role of mother to Jesus and let the world's criticism weigh her down. But instead, Mary took the situation and said, "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said" (Luke 1:38). Her servant's attitude was consistent throughout the entire pregnancy. She was willing to sacrifice her reputation and comfort to offer salvation to a nation a to a world.During this holiday season, it's easy to find yourself in a busy marketplace. From Thanksgiving on, society offers us plenty of distractions that could steer us ways from the true meaning of Christmas. In fact, some many criticize us for saying no to another shopping trip or rescheduling the cooking exchange so that we can keep our focus in the birth of the Messiah. Like Mary, the Lord presents us with opportunities to dance for Him this Christmas season. This year, don't let the busy marketplace of this world interupt your dance. May we all have Mary's willingness to adopt a servant's attitude and praise Him with our dance.
