What Now, Joseph?

If anyone ever got a very clear calling from God, it would have been Mary. She was to carry and give birth to God’s Son! The long-awaited Messiah! And this news came from the mouth of an angel. Not just any angel. Gabriel, himself, one of the highest-ranking angels in God’s Kingdom!

When a person’s calling is that clear, it would be expected that the fulfilling of that call would also be clear. And smooth. Or at least surrounded by confirmation and blessings. Mary’s path beginning from that glorious conversation with Gabriel was anything but smooth. It was crazy. And it was crooked.

First, she had to somehow convince her parents and her betrothed, Joseph, that she hadn’t been unfaithful. The baby growing inside of her came about in a way that was unique to all mankind. Sure Mary. Whatever you say. The looks, the harsh words, the shame she had to endure must have been overwhelming to that sweet young girl.

Then comes a huge confirmation. Joseph, who was planning to quietly divorce Mary, had a remarkable dream. In that dream an angel made it very clear to him that Mary had spoken the truth.

“’Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:20,21)

So now Mary had a true partner; someone who knew beyond doubt that God was indeed at work in an amazing way. One would have thought that at this point it was simply a matter of watching God neatly unfold His Plan. But as most of us know that was not the case. Trouble piled upon trouble for this newly married couple. It began with a decree by Caesar Augustus that all his people needed to be registered meaning that Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem with a young, very pregnant wife. This was a trip that probably took four to five days on foot over mountains and through wilderness, accompanied by others for protection from robbers.

Once they arrived, there were no friends or family to take them in, not even room for them at the local inn.  Surely Mary, as she massaged her cramping abdomen, looked at her husband and asked, “What now, Joseph?”  Poor Joseph was probably getting close to frantic. So, they settled for a manger. A barn in a cave. And there, surrounded by animals, Mary went into labor.

I don’t know about you, but at this point, if I had been the one laying there about to give birth, I would have most likely questioned God. What in the world is going on here, Lord? Have you forgotten me?

But we all know that wasn’t the case at all. God had not forgotten her. He was very present at that very difficult moment. Soon He made His Presence clear to her. He sent the shepherds. And Simeon. And Anna. And the Magi.

What was Mary’s attitude through all of this? The Bible doesn’t make that clear. From hindsight we would like to tell her to not worry. It’s going to be rough. Unimaginably rough, but God’s got this. Trust Him every step of this rocky path you are on. His Plan is Glorious and some day you will see it all and be amazed.

One clue we get from Scripture about Mary’s attitude is found in Luke when she is surprised by Gabriel’s visit. After hearing what God had planned for her, she responded with these words, “’Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’”

That is complete, sweet surrender. I believe it carried her through her most difficult days. Having expectations that veer from being yielded to our God will always lead to confusion, heartache and often bitterness.

Surrender. Trust. Obey. Move forward. And rejoice in the things you cannot see.

Words for you and for me.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.’” (Proverbs 3:5,6)