Trusting amid the confusion

 

I’ve been thinking about Joseph this Christmas. We’re told that Joseph believed in God and sought to do what was right. But when things happened that seemed very wrong, he quashed his first instinct and said yes to God. 

 

His obedience wasn’t as visibly spectacular as Noah’s. But continuing his betrothal to Mary would have led to some raised eyebrows and plenty of gossip.

 It must have been hard for Joseph to hold onto his dream from God, not to start to doubt what he had seen. Not to be suspicious of Mary. I think he might have been pleased to get away from the gossip and chat and go to Bethlehem, where people wouldn’t know who he and Mary were. But maybe he also felt guilty, dragging Mary on a long journey so close to the baby being born.

I wonder how much Joseph understood. How much he was just taking on trust.

Have you ever had a word or a vision from God that seemed right and true? I remember being so encouraged, at a time where I was facing uncertainty and worried that I wasn’t doing the right thing. And with hindsight it’s a massive encouragement too. Knowing that God communicated with me and then seeing that word realised in my life.

But in between the communication and the realisation, there’s a time of doubt. Nothing seems to be happening, did I imagine it all? Why would God promise me that? Maybe I misunderstood. Maybe it was wishful thinking.

I suspect a lot of that went through Joseph’s mind while he chiselled his wood. Can I really trust Mary? Doesn’t this all seem a bit far-fetched?

When Luke tells us of the shepherds coming to visit Jesus, he tells us that Mary pondered their visit, with its stories of angels and heavenly worship.

 

What about Joseph? I think he must have rejoiced. I think the shepherd’s visit might have been vital to his faith. Because it was confirmation that the baby was from God. God had spoken to more than just him and Mary. God had told others that the baby was Immanuel, God with us. Jesus, the Messiah, God saves.

 Joseph would need that confirmation. He needed his faith to be secure as took his family and sought asylum in Egypt, fleeing from the murderous Herod.

Are you in the in-between time, between hearing from God and seeing his word realised? I am, particularly in relation to my writing. And it’s a struggle not to doubt what I heard. This Christmas, I’m looking out for confirmation that I heard right. That God is still working, he keeps his promises and he knows what I need.

‘… my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.’ Isaiah 55:11