Have you ever tried
something that was beyond your ability? "I’m afraid. I don’t feel
qualified. How can I do this when no one has really taught me? I
don’t know anyone else that does this. What if people don’t believe in me? What
if I fail?" So many questions can arise when you start out on a new
task, job, calling, or ministry.
My mind goes to a
young lady in the Bible who found herself pregnant long before she ever thought
she would be. We don’t know much about her upbringing; just that she was young,
unmarried, and engaged to a good man. I don’t know what life experience she may
have had managing a household; whether she came from a large family where
she had younger siblings she helped care for. But regardless, motherhood was
thrust upon her ahead of "her" time.
Why were she and her
fiancé chosen to carry out such an important task? Good question…and I don't
have an answer. But I would think it had something to do with this: they
were obedient and they had faith. The Bible tells us they
both believed the news from the angel and followed in obedience. Mary
received and agreed to carry the promise in her mortal body and Joseph agreed
to accept responsibility for Mary and the future of this child that was to be
born.
Mary could have shied
away from it all. "Why me? And why now? I'm not ready for this. Surely
there are other women who are more prepared for motherhood (much less THIS
motherhood) and who will be supported rather than slandered. Joseph won’t get
it. My friends and neighbors won’t get it. This doesn’t make sense. I can’t do
it." But she stepped forward and accepted the call..."be it unto me
according to thy word." Faith, trust, obedience. And because of it she had
the priceless privilege of bringing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords into
the world. (Often times the greatest blessings show up on our doorstep wrapped in "inconvenience" and "this doesn't make sense.")
Think about Joseph;
ending the engagement would have been the kindest approach most Jewish men
would have taken if they had found out their betrothed was pregnant by another.
Many others would have let Mary suffer the customary penalty for adultery –
death by stoning. But like Mary, Joseph displayed faith, trust, and
obedience. And oh, was he glad he did!
On top of all the
uncertainty the pregnancy brought and the doubt and criticism of neighbors and
friends, their journey was complicated by travel near the time of their baby’s
arrival – forcing them to endure extreme discomfort to bring this
child safely into the world. I’m sure at times they felt the weight of
their decisions to take on this promise and had their share of doubts and
fears. (It’s been said, if there is no risk of failing, then what you are doing
isn’t significant.) Could they have failed? Most certainly! But by
following the law to be censused, taking their son to the Temple to be
dedicated, and naming him Jesus, they walked in obedience to the laws and
religious customs of their day and most importantly to God’s Spirit. And as a
result, their lives were enriched beyond words.
I don't know who you
are, where you live, or what you do. And I don’t know what God has planned for
you. But I know this: If you will follow Mary and Joseph's lead and have faith,
trust God, and obey…you too will bring to pass the promises of God that
will unlock the spectacular story He’s written for you.
by Ruth Clark
Have you ever tried
something that was beyond your ability? "I’m afraid. I don’t feel
qualified. How can I do this when no one has really taught me? I
don’t know anyone else that does this. What if people don’t believe in me? What
if I fail?" So many questions can arise when you start out on a new
task, job, calling, or ministry.
My mind goes to a
young lady in the Bible who found herself pregnant long before she ever thought
she would be. We don’t know much about her upbringing; just that she was young,
unmarried, and engaged to a good man. I don’t know what life experience she may
have had managing a household; whether she came from a large family where
she had younger siblings she helped care for. But regardless, motherhood was
thrust upon her ahead of "her" time.
Why were she and her
fiancé chosen to carry out such an important task? Good question…and I don't
have an answer. But I would think it had something to do with this: they
were obedient and they had faith. The Bible tells us they
both believed the news from the angel and followed in obedience. Mary
received and agreed to carry the promise in her mortal body and Joseph agreed
to accept responsibility for Mary and the future of this child that was to be
born.
Mary could have shied
away from it all. "Why me? And why now? I'm not ready for this. Surely
there are other women who are more prepared for motherhood (much less THIS
motherhood) and who will be supported rather than slandered. Joseph won’t get
it. My friends and neighbors won’t get it. This doesn’t make sense. I can’t do
it." But she stepped forward and accepted the call..."be it unto me
according to thy word." Faith, trust, obedience. And because of it she had
the priceless privilege of bringing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords into
the world. (Often times the greatest blessings show up on our doorstep wrapped in "inconvenience" and "this doesn't make sense.")
Think about Joseph;
ending the engagement would have been the kindest approach most Jewish men
would have taken if they had found out their betrothed was pregnant by another.
Many others would have let Mary suffer the customary penalty for adultery –
death by stoning. But like Mary, Joseph displayed faith, trust, and
obedience. And oh, was he glad he did!
On top of all the
uncertainty the pregnancy brought and the doubt and criticism of neighbors and
friends, their journey was complicated by travel near the time of their baby’s
arrival – forcing them to endure extreme discomfort to bring this
child safely into the world. I’m sure at times they felt the weight of
their decisions to take on this promise and had their share of doubts and
fears. (It’s been said, if there is no risk of failing, then what you are doing
isn’t significant.) Could they have failed? Most certainly! But by
following the law to be censused, taking their son to the Temple to be
dedicated, and naming him Jesus, they walked in obedience to the laws and
religious customs of their day and most importantly to God’s Spirit. And as a
result, their lives were enriched beyond words.
I don't know who you
are, where you live, or what you do. And I don’t know what God has planned for
you. But I know this: If you will follow Mary and Joseph's lead and have faith,
trust God, and obey…you too will bring to pass the promises of God that
will unlock the spectacular story He’s written for you.
by Ruth Clark
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