 -Kenneth Myers- Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.” Luke 1.46-47 Mary’s Song. The Magnificat. It gets read and sung in churches around the world during the Advent and Christmas seasons. It is a hymn of praise from Mary’s lips to God’s ears, but a close reading will show that it is also a manifesto of topsy-turvy change. Maybe the closest modern day comparison is Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are A Changin’. Yes, Mary’s Song is a subversive protest song! Dylan sang, “For the loser now will be later to win,” and, “For the first one now will later be last.” Mary sang, “He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations. He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty-handed” (Luke 1.51-53). When God shows up in the world (and in our lives), things may get messy for a while (think the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s or the unrest in our own time). There will definitely be some tumult. But the end result will be God’s Kingdom manifesting. The key is to not get too comfortable with the status quo, and be ready to embrace the change that God brings our way. --- Almighty God, open my eyes to see you in the changes and vicissitudes of life. Help me to cling to you rather than to comfort. And make me an instrument of godly change in the world. Amen.  Kenneth Myers was born in 1959 in Denison, Texas. After 38 years of pastoral ministry (as a pastor, priest, and bishop) he created Graceworks Teaching Minister in 2014 and now spends his time writing books and traveling throughout the U.S. leading seminars based on his writings. His newest book, Look at Us, tells the story of his romance and love affair with his late wife. More details about Ken including contact information can be found at www.kennethmyers.net.
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