We Offer
“We offer our worship as a wellspring of devotion, rising up from the depths of our souls.”
Luke 1:46-48 (ESV)
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
Imagine a natural spring pushing up from deep within the earth—pure, constant, and life-giving. Our worship should mirror this image: not manufactured or forced, but naturally flowing from our deepest places. The metaphor of a wellspring captures something profound about authentic devotion to God. Like groundwater that finds its way to the surface through unseen channels, true worship emerges from the hidden places of our hearts, shaped by our daily encounters with His grace.
During Advent, we're reminded that Jesus came not just to receive our surface-level acknowledgments but to transform us into vessels of praise. This transformation begins in those deep, often untouched places within us. Think about how water shapes the underground caverns through which it flows—slowly, persistently, powerfully. Similarly, genuine devotion shapes us from the inside out, carving new channels of grace in our character. Mary's words exemplify this wellspring of devotion. Her song wasn't a carefully rehearsed performance but a spontaneous overflow of praise emerging from her encounter with God's incredible plan. Despite the overwhelming nature of her situation—being young, unmarried, and chosen for an unprecedented role—her response welled up from a heart saturated with Scripture and surrender to God's purposes.
We often try to manufacture devotion through external means—the right music, the perfect environment, the most eloquent prayers. But genuine worship, like a wellspring, can't be forced. It must emerge naturally from a heart touched by divine love. This Advent season invites us to examine the source of our devotion. Are we trying to pump water from a dry well, or are we allowing God's Spirit to create in us a perpetual spring? Consider how this wellspring of devotion might manifest in daily life. Perhaps it's in spontaneous moments of gratitude while watching a sunset. Maybe it's in quiet acts of service that no one else sees. It could be how we approach our work, relationships, or daily tasks with a sacred purpose. True devotion isn't confined to Sunday mornings or designated prayer times—it bubbles up unexpectedly, refreshing ourselves and others.
Like Mary, who found herself part of God's grand narrative, our devotion deepens when we recognize our place in God's ongoing story. The Christmas story itself illustrates this principle. The shepherds' worship wasn't prompted by religious obligation but burst forth from their amazing experience in the fields. The wise men's journey wasn't mandated but motivated by a deep inner compelling to worship the newborn king. As we progress through Advent, let's focus less on manufacturing experiences and more on cultivating the conditions that allow worship to flow naturally. This might mean creating more space for silence and reflection. It could involve journaling about our encounters with God's grace. Perhaps it means being more attentive to the daily shreds of evidence of God's presence in our lives.
Take a moment to reread today’s Scripture passage and then spend some time reflecting on the following questions:
Luke 1:46-48 (ESV)
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
What prevents your worship from flowing freely? Where do you see evidence of God's living water already flowing in your life?