Joseph Reflection
Joseph (Read Matthew chapter 1 for the full story)
When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, his hopes and dreams were probably dashed and broken. Maybe he felt hurt, angry and confused. He knew the baby couldn’t be his, so that obviously meant it had to be the end for him and Mary.
But, God had chosen Joseph quite a long time before, to be the human father of Jesus when he came to live on earth. We don’t know exactly what God had done in Joseph’s life to prepare him for this task, but some people think Joseph was older, and maybe he needed a bit of maturity and life experience to do this job. God needed someone who wouldn’t fly off the handle in the moment. He needed someone who was real, had integrity, wisdom, gentleness, and a strong, stable safety about him. This man was going to be someone who would need to support Mary in her task given by God.
God needed someone who cared more about God’s call on his life, than what others might think of him, and his fiancée. Someone who had the foundations of faith, ready to withstand a bit of a knock on his ego, and to actively trust the voice of God.
After Joseph made his decision to ‘divorce Mary quietly’, he slept on the decision. It was during that sleep that an angel came to him in a dream with a message from God. In this dream it was all explained- the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and this was all part of a bigger plan. Joseph was able to see the truth, and the light on his situation, from a place of rest.
We too might experience hurt, pain, confusion- which might come from human wrong-doing. Where does that leave us? Why do we have to put up with that? There can be so many questions and so many difficulties to overcome when we encounter situations like this, or realise we are paying a high cost for someone else’s actions.
But a challenge for us is… to take ourselves to a place of rest. This may be physical rest, sleep, or somewhere we feel at peace. Maybe a walk by the sea, or out in the countryside. To re-connect with God and be spiritually re-filled. What might the voice of God say to us in this place? What might our ears hear from this place of rest?
It’s amazing how our perspective can change when we let God do his thing. See what seeds God can sow in the midst of your painful and confusing situation. What hope can grow? What new light can shine? What new beginnings can develop?
What and where are your places of rest? Do you give God permission to speak to you in that place? Will you let God be God in your place of rest?
Make sure you go to those places, whether imaginary or real places, especially in your pain, anxiety, overwhelm or stress. He will meet you there, and he’ll give you just what you need.
