Key Text: Matthew 1:18-25
I started this entry over a week ago but busyness distracted me; I do hope you all had a lovely Christmas! I know some texts are more popular only for this time of year, but the nativity story is filled with truths to encourage us even after December 25th!
The lives of Bible heroes such as Joseph dominated the lessons when I sat in Sunday School as a child. I knew of him then as Jesus’ earthly father and Mary’s husband and saw him as a sort of super-hero with no major problems.
Now, on reading the same texts, I am more aware of his human nature. Through no fault of our own, the nativity story is sanitised in the way we speak about it, as well as in the lovely images in plays, cards, shopping areas, movies and the like. The blessed family looks peaceful, and of course, we imagine it in this way since Jesus was there. I do not doubt whether it was serene – the glory of the Lord was there.
Inspite of this, Joseph initially struggled with doubt. He considered divorcing Mary – that’s enough to discern that he faced emotional turmoil despite his ensuing obedience to support Mary and Jesus.
What might we learn from this? Christmas is a lovely time, filled with reminders of the joy that Jesus’ birth brought to earth. We all perhaps celebrate it and continue to find it to be an awesome time of the year.
But, like Joseph, the celebrated man of God with a unique calling, we may face joy and fear or doubt simultaneously. Joseph’s experience may grant us some wisdom, even after we have removed our Christmas trees, nativity scenes and decorations. Sometimes, the Lord’s calling and promises are amazing and overwhelming at the same time. Sometimes we may know He is with us but also question whether the Word we heard from Him was accurate. Sometimes we know He will never leave or forsake us, but wonder if He has gone AWOL while we struggle.
What should we do in such times? Firstly, like Joseph, if we are handpicked by God, rest assured that He will get us to our purpose through any means necessary. For Joseph, it was through supernatural encounters and dreams. We may not have such unusual confirmations, but we can trust that God will guide us. In the middle of his doubts, God spoke to him. In emotional turmoil, even when he was perhaps too scared to seek God fervently God met him where he was through an Angel. This does not negate our need to seek God, but reminds us that He sees our weaknesses and helps us through them. God did not find another to replace Joseph when he doubted the promise, but prepared him for the responsibility of being Jesus’ earthly father.
Fellow pilgrim, I am unsure abiut the mammoth task(s) you have been called to do, but I do know that if God selected you, as Joseph was guided through three dreams in which an Angel of the Lord appeared to him, He is the same God and He will lead you.
We do not have the liberty of choosing our calling and purpose, but we are obliged,like Joseph, to obey God, even when the entire path is unclear.
The Christmas story was anything but perfect. There was uncertainty about having a room for Jesus to be born, threats from Herod and a doubting Joseph. However, from those humble beginnings came God’s sacrifice of His Son to bridge the gap between Him and fallen man. A doubting Joseph still had hope, and was still used, with God’s help, for the role he was called to play.
We can therefore clutch the hope that despite uncertain beginnings, our lives, ministries, responsibilities and purpose will accomplish what God designed them to, through tailor-made ways in which He guides us.
Remember, if all you can muster is a minute or five today despite your doubts, keep seeking God.
Heartfelt Prayer:
Dear Lord, thanks for the sacrifice of Your Son, clothed in humanity to save me. I know that like the promise Joseph received, some of Your promises are baffling to the human mind, and frankly, they’re sometimes frightening! I know You will guide me to my expected end through any means necessary. Help me to remember the unusual prophesy of Your Son’s earthly tenure and it’s ultimate manifestation which gives me access to You. If You used a doubting man to raise Your Son,You will use me too despite the things I don’t understand. I entrust my destiny to You. Amen.
