Treasures of our hearts to ponder
by Jo Corney
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But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart (Luke 2:19).
Read Luke 2:15–21
Welcome to this new year! May you know a year of many blessings. Indeed, may many of your blessings be such precious experiences that they are treasured in your heart, encouraging you as you reflect upon them.
As I prepared to write this week’s devotions, I have found my thoughts returning to the phrase, ‘But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart’. Just three days ago, we also read that Mary ‘treasured up these things in her heart’ (Luke 2:51). Undoubtedly, the scholars among us will have deep and meaningful insight gleaned from the original texts and their subsequent meanings. I appreciate these and what they offer for context; however, for this devotion, I am reflecting on the ‘treasuring’ and ‘pondering’ of things in the heart.
The Cambridge Dictionary has been helpful with understanding these words: treasuring and pondering. These words were about ‘doing something’; therefore, they will be classed as verbs. As such, ‘to treasure’ means to keep carefully or to take great care of something because you love it or consider it very valuable. ‘To ponder’ is to think carefully about something, especially for a noticeable length of time.
The mysteries of the divine that unpacked in Mary’s life were beyond human comprehension, but she stored them as heart-held treasures. It says a lot about Mary’s character. Luke’s writings give clues to this – Mary was spiritually attuned, gentle of manner, deep and strong in faith, faithfully undertaking the specific role God gave her and graciously journeying with it. Considering what was ahead for her and her son Jesus (in his ministry, death, resurrection and ascension), Mary would benefit from the help of these treasures held in her heart from these experiences – they were a blessing.
So, as this new year begins, I take the lessons on board from Mary as related to my journey of faith and relationship with God. I won’t spell these out for you, as they are unique for me. Perhaps you are also prompted to consider what you treasure and ponder in your heart. May the treasures of faith we hold in our hearts and what we ponder of God bless us as we journey through 2025.
Loving God, thank you for the blessings that have given us treasures to hold in our hearts. Thank you for the help it has been to ponder these as time has passed. Please continue to help us value the treasures you give us, remember them and know you are with us in our journey through these. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Jo is a wife and mum who serves in various roles in her local Lutheran church community and as a chaplain within Lutheran Services.
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