Pondering Is Never Wasted Time

To think about or consider carefully or to think on, over, about. Those are the definitions of ponder, which can be either a transitive or intransitive verb. The former needs an object to complete the meaning whereas the latter does not need a direct object. He pondered the question carefully before answering is an example of the transitive use. She paused to ponder on the situation uses ponder intransitively.

We “think fast” all the time. It is the opposite of pondering. Our thinking changes when we ponder. While thinking fast is often required throughout the day, it is the act of pondering that regularly helps us learn, grow, and gain clarity. Thinking fast is response mode, it is survival. Pondering is revelation, leading to better understanding.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, pondered. We are told so in scripture. Here’s the deal. Mary was engaged to Joseph. One day, maybe while she was going about her daily routine, an angel named Gabriel appeared to her. If that wasn’t scary enough, what the angel said probably freaked Mary out. This heavenly being told her (in Luke 1:30) not be afraid and that she was favorable in God’s eyes. Then this, the real kicker (unexpected, surprising) – “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (1:31-33).

Perplexed, Mary asked the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (v.35). Click here to read Gabriel’s response to her question. I am sure none of this made any sense to Mary, but despite her uncertainty, v.38 tells us – “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’ And the angel departed from her.”

Now, fast forward to nine months later. Jesus lay in a manger, proud papa and mama with him. The region is abuzz with news about the birth of a Savior. Shepherds had encountered angels. God has illuminated the sky. These shepherds high tailed it to Bethlehem to see this little baby that God made known to them. Everyone who heard this news was amazed. Different Bible translations use a variety of words – amazed, astonished, marveled, wondered. But Scripture tells us that Mary’s response was different. Here is what we read – “But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart” (2:19).

So, just what made Mary ponder? Why did she respond differently? There is no doubt that this good news created quite a stir. I am sure questions abounded everywhere. However, it was not surprising to Mary. Since her angelic visitation, she had very likely spent countless hours contemplating all that she was told. What the shepherds told her only confirmed what she already knew. Even so, that she pondered implies, at least to me, that Mary knew yet did not fully understand. She continued to think it over, allowing it to help her learn, grow, gain clarity, and fully trust what was told to her.

We can never fully understand God (Isaiah 55:8-9). That is just not possible. But we can ponder the things of God. We can meditate upon his commandments, his instructions, his promises. Psalm 119:15 tells us this – “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.”

I believe that when we ponder in our hearts the things of God, we draw closer to Him. Pondering requires more than just thinking. It requires breadth and depth; not being content to settle on our first thought(s), instead, digging deeper and deeper. Pondering is a choice we make.

We are told in scripture that those who desire to draw near to God will in fact do so (i.e., James 4:8). Are you carving out time to consider carefully all the things of God? The time we spend pondering on God is never wasted time.

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