Stability That Is Deeper Than Trauma

Every year at this time we look at people surrounding Jesus 2000 years ago when He was born in Bethlehem.  How did the coming of Jesus change them?  How is the coming of Jesus meant to change us?

For many of us the passage of time has a way of toning down the difficult and keeping more of the “good times” in focus for us.  I wonder sometimes if we don’t do that with the lives of people like Joseph and Mary.

We know from the telling of the story in the Bible that Joseph was “a good man” and so what thoughts and emotions must have churned inside of him when he heard the devastating news that his fiancé was pregnant by someone other than himself?

Don’t you wonder about the thoughts and conversations he had with God upon learning this news.  Why?  How could he have misjudged this young woman who had already stood with him before the community and pledged herself to him?  What did that say about not only her character but his discernment?

And more importantly, what did it say about his God who everyone believed would honour and reward those who walked with Him?

I’m so glad that there is a work of God that goes deeper than our thoughts and emotions.  It’s the presence of God in our spirits that informs the rest of who we are what truth is and where security is found. 

I’ve seen that in the lives of people I know who have suffered devasting impact on their cognitive abilities.  They may not remember what they were doing 5 minutes ago but they remember the Lord and their relationship with Him. That’s what Joseph did here. 

The angel said, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to accept Mary to be your wife. The baby inside her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son. You will name him Jesus. Give him that name because he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the Lord’s angel told him to do. He married Mary.

Matthew 1:20-21, 24

Loving God, life throws all kinds of difficult moments at us that seem impossible to understand that that challenge us emotionally.  Thank you for living in us at a deeper level than anything we will experience around us and for loving us, steadying us, and guiding us through all the things we cannot begin to understand at this time.

Help us to learn from Joseph to listen to You, to respond to what You have said we are to do, and to wait for Your plan to unfold over time, trusting that You have amazing plans that You are working out in Your time and way.  Amen

Immanuel – God is with us. Let’s take the opportunity to stayed tuned in to God’s voice, particularly when things around us are difficult and don’t seem to make much sense.