Birthed Blessing

“But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “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. ²¹ 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

Every time I read the portion of scripture that details the reaction of Joseph to the news of Mary’s pregnancy I cannot but feel a little inadequate as a man. I know that may seem a bit odd for me to say, but think about it. He has just become engaged to a woman and they had yet to know one another in the most intimate of ways. In today’s society I am sure this would pass by with little notice, but in ancient times this was cause for a woman to be stoned.

Joseph had to be swimming in anxiety. There were only two options. One: He defiled his betrothed before the actual wedding and his name would be tarnished as well as hers. Two: She engaged in sexual activity with another man and again defiled his name and Mary would now be executed. To make matters worse an angel came to him and told him that this child was of the Lord’s.

So instead of running away from this woman that was sure to bring him nothing but issues at the Temple, he trusted God. This makes me wonder if I can trust God in the same way? Do we have what it takes to just trust God and his ways, even when our world is telling us that we have committed a grave error?

There will be times in our lives when God will speak to us in such a way that we will want to run instead of receive. At times the ways of the Holy Spirit are foreign to us and we are incapable of fully understanding what it is that He desires. Regardless, we must open our hearts and trust God.

Today, during this Christmas season, I hope that we can all begin to trust God just a little bit more. After all, Joseph did and as a result he was able to share the rest of his life with his Savior. Doesn’t that sound like a gift you want? Do you desire to spend the rest of your days with your Savior? If so then just let go of cultural standards and begin to search for what God wants to conceive and birth in you.