Magnificent...

February 13th, 2026

Early one morning a few weeks ago, we made our way to the Taj Mahal. I had imagined a quiet, majestic approach. Maybe a gentle sunrise. Maybe soft music in the background. Instead, we climbed into a tuk tuk that bounced and weaved through traffic like a barrel dropping over Niagara Falls. By the time we pulled up to the entrance, we were greeted not by serenity but by dogs, cows, and more monkeys than I was ready to negotiate with before breakfast.

It felt a little out of character for one of the most magnificent buildings on earth. But once we looked beyond the chaos, the Taj Mahal began to do what it is meant to do. It left us in awe.

From a distance, it already looked overwhelming, but when we walked closer, the details took our breath away. Every inch seemed to carry a level of craftsmanship that should not even be possible. Carved marble. Precious stones set into the walls like a jeweled tapestry.

Later, we met a family whose ancestors helped create those inlaid designs. They showed us how artisans still place those tiny stones one by one into carved channels. Watching that process gave us a whole new respect for what we had just seen. The big picture was magnificent, and the close-up detail was magnificent. Both views left us in awe.

This Sunday, we will look at another masterpiece. It is not made of marble or precious stones. It was not commissioned by an emperor. It came from the mouth of a young woman from Nazareth who understood better than most what it means for God to do great things in a humble life.

In Luke 1, Mary sings what we now call the Magnificat. It is her response to the mercy of God. Like the Taj Mahal, her song reveals beauty on two levels. First, she sings about the mercy of God in her own life. That is the close-up detail. God saw her. God loved her. God chose her.

Then her voice widens, and she sings about the mercy of God across generations. That is the wide-angle view. The God who helped Abraham is the same God who helps her and the same God who helps us. And woven through it all is the beauty of mercy showing up in her relationships, especially her relationship with Elizabeth.

Mary teaches us that God’s mercy can be magnified in us and magnified through us. When we step back and see the big picture of what God has done, we stand in awe. When we draw near and see the details of His work in our lives, we stand in awe again.

I hope you will join us on Sunday as we look at this remarkable song and consider how the mercy of God can be magnified in and through our lives. Services are at 8:00, 9:15 (Full KidCity available), or 10:45 am (Full KidCity available), or you can watch the Livestream on YouTube (Like and Subscribe) or on our New Life website at 9:15 am. Also, we would LOVE for you to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

Enjoy the great weather,

Troy

P.S. Women’s brunch tomorrow at 9:15 am…you will love it!