Nougat 18

Hello

Please receive today’s Holy Nougat

“Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:19-20‬ ‭NRSV‬‬

Have you ever wondered what would happen had Joseph said No to God? To be honest, I’m not sure whether it is worth the thought since God ordered his steps. But nevertheless, what do you think? I ask, because A) Joseph started out with doubts, and it could affect how we (you and I) relate to God’s call

Doubts

Having been in a legitimate relationship with Mary, Joseph must have thought he knew her well. Until she began talk about pregnancy and God being responsible. He might have been wondering how she cuckolded him; whether her parents knew; who the actual father was; and why she chose to lie. Considering that he thought about putting her away quietly (or send her to the country), suggests that poor Joseph didn’t even think of asking God.

But God had the final Word!

Whether we believe it or not; God has the Final Word. We are invited to partner with God in ALL that God does; but we ought to recognize that God’s offer IS an offer, for God sees the outcome and has already determined it’s good purpose.

So initially it seems that Joseph would not have said yes to God’s plan – he didn’t have all the facts, and that was a lot for blind faith to grasp in a world where direct divine vision or visitations were no longer normal. If Joseph accepted the Lie, what would have become of Mary?

And by virtue therein, of Jesus? We might not think about it; but there were no homes for unwed mothers, Elizabeth was already pregnant and would not need to pretend that the baby born of Mary was hers. That child would have been utterly disadvantaged! And more so, Jesus’ birth narrative would have read differently.

But God’s plans prevailed!

God’s Call

In heeding God’s Spirit, Joseph was (re)written in God’s plan for humanity’s redemption. A plan conceived long before the beginning of time. For the moment that Eve and Adam were beguiled; God’s plan was already in motion; awaiting the formal fulfillment. With Jesus’ genealogy tracing back through David on either side, if Joseph said No; God’s promise to David would still have been fulfilled.

It is a reminder to me that although God CHOOSES to work with and through us; God – Creator of All – HAS options. But I t is for us to be aware of the move of God’s Spirit, so that we have the Truth picture of whatever God invites us to. Please don’t misunderstand me; there are those who act against God’s will; but even then, God’s purposes prevail. In fact, those are sometimes The kairos moments that develop our spiritual mettle.

God’s invitation might not look or sound like the ‘way’ God should logically operate. But when we are open to God’s Spirit, we will gain enough clarity to make a choice. The question is, when the spiritual history of our lives are recorded, will it show obedience, or God working in Creation Despite us?

May God’s will be the Definitive Word

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May all we seek be found in Christ