Mindfulness

Luke 1:48, “for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.”
When the angel approached Mary, the words of greeting startled the young woman. “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. (Luke 1: 28,29). The angel knew that this instilled fear in her heart and announced to her that the Lord had found favor in her and as a result she was to bear a child who would be named Jesus.
So when Mary sings her magnificent song of praise (Luke 1: 46-55) she begins it by glorifying and praising God for his mindfulness – of her humble state of soul. Her song of delight focused on her surprising place in the Kingdom…based solely in a humble openness to the miraculous work of God being released and fulfilled in her.
In what ways have you sensed the mindfulness of God in your behalf lately? He has and is and always will be mindful of the state of your soul and the needs of your heart. God doesn’t know any other way to be God in your life than to be fully mindful of each and every inch of your life. He is mindful of your coming and going, your highs and your lows, your desires and your fears, your gifts and your shame. He knows you and loves you and is mindful of you…receive that incredible gift today.
Throughout Advent 2010 it will be vitally important that we as servants of Christ remember God’s mindfulness. There is nothing that exceeds his grasp or surpasses his initiative. Trust in the One who’s love is fully attentive to your every prayer and believe today that his work in and through you will be for the glory of God and the purposes of his Kingdom.
My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

This entry also appears on the Conversations Journal Blog.

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Steve Macchia

Founder & President

The Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Macchia is founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), a ministry serving the spiritual formation, discernment, and renewal of leaders and learners since 2003. For more than 20 years he has been the Director of the Pierce Center for Disciple-Building at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Doctor of Ministry Program. From 1989-2003 he was the president of Vision New England, the largest regional church renewal association in the country. Earlier in his ministry life, Steve was a member of the pastoral staff of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts for 11 years. He is the author or co-author of 17 books, including The Discerning Life (Zondervan Reflective), and Crafting a Rule of Life, Becoming A Healthy Church (LTI), and Broken and Whole (IVP).  He and his wife Ruth live in the Boston (MA) area and are the proud parents of two married children and grandparents to three adorable grandchildren. Steve’s personal website is www.SteveMacchia.com.

My soul comes alive singing the great hymns of the church and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. I’m in awe of God for fulfilling the dream for LTI that he birthed in my heart, for the team he has assembled, and the transformational impact experienced in the leaders and teams we serve.

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Mitzi Mak

Selah-West Faculty & Emmaus Faculty

Mitzi started her professional life as a high school social studies teacher. She and her husband Jerry then served cross-culturally for ten+ years, living abroad first in India and then Kurdistan, N. Iraq. In addition to being a Spiritual Director, she now serves as a Formation and Care pastor in her local church in Houston, TX. She has graduated from LTI’s Selah Spiritual Direction training as well as LTI’s Emmaus Formational Leadership Program.

Mitzi enjoys engaging conversation, reading fiction, doing jigsaw/crossword puzzles, ocean gazing and exploring the world with Jerry through food and travel.

God has two main callings in Mitzi’s life: to care for those who care for others and to be a guide in helping others have a healthy relationship with the Trinity – recognizing God’s loving presence and activity in their lives and how to faithfully respond.

Selah was a transformative experience for me – allowing the contemplative within to emerge and to beautifully co-exist with my extraverted personality.