When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt.
Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”Matt 2:13 (NIV)
One would think that if God asks you to do something such as bring His Son into the world that you’d be set for life. Everything would be taken cared of and you wouldn’t have to worry about a thing. NOT!
Being in and doing God’s will is far from easy. In fact it’s going to be the hardest thing you do. Since God’s ways are totally contrary to the worlds way you can best be sure that you will face persecution, confusion, opposition and frustration. However, if you persevere then you will move forward, experience God and grow in faith. Apart from perseverance through the persecution you will not grow in faith and you will not experience God.
As we get into the Christmas story and we’ve been talking about (these last few weeks) hope, love and joy, we need to remember that life is not a bowl of cherries for anyone. Yes, not even for Mary who had God living inside of her to be born into this world. Lets take a look at some of the opposition that the young couple Joseph and Mary endured.
Mary:
-Already there was the whole ordeal with being pregnant as a virgin. This was a major hardship for her (and Joseph) within the family as well as the community. She could’ve very well been stoned to death.
-The journey to Bethlehem on a donkey while 8 months pregnant. I’m sure she felt every step. Did she maintain her cool? Even after days of traveling?
-Trying to find shelter. After days of traveling I know I’d be saying, “COME ON GOD! I JUST WANT TO FIND A PLACE TO REST! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
-Childbirth… IN A STABLE! I’m sure thoughts were going through Mary’s mind thinking, “This is not how I foresaw this happening.”
-The aftermath, the blood, the pain and the days of healing. To top it off with strangers visiting and animals all around.
Joseph:
-Joseph still had to fight through the crowds to register for the census. Where was Mary? Was she with him or was she in the stable?
-Was Joseph worried about provisions? As the breadwinner, now he has a wife and child to take care of. Was he worried? Did he have savings? Was he uncomfortable because of all the sin and wickedness all around him? Being that he was an upright man?
Bottom line, there were hardships and I’m sure there were frustrations. They faced opposition even while they were ushering in Gods Son. I’m sure they doubted at times and at times the burdens seemed more than they could bear. But, as we all know they lived through it. They endured. God needed to use someone and they proved to be faithful.
With that in mind, know that God is not finished working here. He still looks for the faithful few that will endure until His will passes. Could God be using you for something big right now? Maybe that’s why you’re facing such opposition. Let’s remember the story of Mary and Joseph and be encouraged for we are not alone. Endure it and we will experience God all the more and grow in leaps and bounds in our faith. And like Mary and Joseph we too will go down in history as the faithful few who God used to accomplish His will.
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BlogbyStephen Ventura