It’s Christmas time.
And I would like to draw attention to this young man standing next to his betrothed and her child – the savior of the world – who we celebrate today.
His name is Joseph.
Betrothed, is a fancy word for engagement. But it was not that simple in Joseph’s day.
Their engagement was just as committed as marriage. It was a time for him to work, save and prepare their home that would support his family.
But during this time, Joseph finds himself in a tough spot – his wife? She has become pregnant. Abd the baby? Not his.
Not only this, but Mary claims it is of the Holy Spirit – the Son of God.
How embarrassing; how heartbreaking this must be for Joseph.
But in the book of Matthew, it says of him – “being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately”
Joseph was a good man.
I imagine him a hard worker – just wanting to make a life for himself, get married, have some children and live a good life.
But that is not the story that God is writing – only Joseph doesn’t know the lines yet.
Matthew continues…
But while he [Joseph] thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
The story God is writing is of his Son and the redemption of the lost people of the world that are his.
And God wants Joseph to play a part.
But what does this mean for Joseph?
Joseph is being asked to do the hard thing – to let go of his dreams, his hopes, his life. Why? Because God has a bigger story to tell – and it is not ours.
Joseph’s part? To submit himself completely to God.
Not just submitting to God’s request (or really – his command), but to submit everything to him and for his glory.
All of his hopes, desires and dreams will change from this moment forward.
It is not too different for us who are trying to leave the habits of porn, masturbation and lust.
The reality is, as much as we say we hate it, we honestly like it.
And we’ve built all these systems in our lives to protect it.
Letting go of these is hard.
But just like in Joseph’s case, God has a better plan.
And similarly, it requires us to let go of those things we had held onto.
Things like our desires, the feel of that quick look, of letting thoughts run wild, the exhilaration, and its release.
Letting go of the secrets, the hiding, the shame, the anger, the emptiness.
Even our successes and failures.
My challenge to you today is to submit yourself and all of these things to God – every morning when you wake up, throughout your day, in your struggles, when you face temptations, and in your successes or failures – all of it.
Be willing to be like Joseph; to have God interrupt your expectations and fall in love with relinquishing your rights and letting God have it all.
🎄 Merry Christmas!🎄
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