_JPG.jpg)
Each week Pastor Sarah offers a devotional reflection to connect with the South Shore UMC Family. Use this entry as a way to prepare your heart and mind for worship. See you Sunday!
---
This week the South Shore Community continues our summer series entitled This We Believe. During this series we will study core concepts of United Methodist Belief. This knowledge will enrich our faith and draw us towards greater lived expressions of Christ-likeness in our daily lives. I hope you will join us safely in-person or online via our broadcast platform for this time of study!
---
Sunday’s Scripture ~ Romans 8:12-17.
Devotional Scripture ~ Luke 1:46-55.
Our devotional text this week is known as the Song of Mary or The Magnificat - which is Latin for the first phrase of the song, “My soul magnifies the Lord.”
Luke 1:49 says, “For the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Mary then goes on to list the “great things” done for her by God both during and before her lifetime. She acknowledges each of these great things as gift and as evidence of the favor God bestows on her.
When I think of God’s great things in my life, I think of
God’s commitment to seek and save the lost
God bringing Andrew and me together
God calling Andrew and me to shepherd so many incredible young people throughout our ministries
God calling Andrew and me to parent our Joshua
God purposefully including humanity in God’s plan to redeem the world.
It is important for us to notice the great things God has done and is doing for us - both during and before our lifetimes. The great things - whether big or small - are great because they are a way God communicates both love for and commitment to us. God’s great things are gifts and evidence the favor God bestows for us.
God’s favor is not selective. God’s favor is inclusive.
A wonderful witness to our faith is sharing about the great things God is doing and has done in our lives. Little or big - God’s great things are important. Sharing them is another way for us to teach one another about God and our experiences of God. Sharing them is another way for us to notice God’s presence with us and to praise God for all our incredible blessings.
Reflection: Set “noticing” God’s great things as a priority this week. Notice the little things and the big things. Notice if and how the great things are connected to one another, and perhaps, how they connect you to others. Share with someone God’s great things you noticed this week - and celebrate!
Prayer: "Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly thine, till all this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine."* Amen.
*”Breathe On Me, Breath of God,” The United Methodist Hymnal 420.
**Devotional Resource: The Weekly Prayer Project by Scarlet Hiltibidal