“Looking Both Ways”                             

On most occasions it’s a real job pulling out of the side streets around the Yuma 1st church campus. Any of us who have parked next to the sanctuary and Asbury Hall on the west side of the building know that as you prepare to pull out into 3rd street heading south you absolutely have to look both ways several times before you enter the street as well as very quickly look both ways as you are crossing into the turn lane because either fast moving cars and/or bicycles or pedestrians seemingly appear out of thin air! If you want to be safe you must look both ways! Advent, someone has said, is all about looking both ways!

As we wrap up the season of Advent we look once again at Mary’s Song in the Gospel of Luke. At this point in Mary’s life, she has virtually no idea about her uncertain future. And as she’s looking ahead, waiting and wondering, she’s no doubt looking back to see where, when and why God shaped her and called her for such a monumental task! We’re not even sure what she’s thinking about when it comes to Joseph’s role with this Miracle baby! 

According to Mary's “song,” however, God has “filled her with good things” and has given her no worries about what has happened, or what will happen in the future. I think it’s safe to say, that God has guided her and counseled and directed her through this process, and will continue to be her Wonderful Counselor throughout her life!