Abandon the Plan?

by Sarah Phillips

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name, Immanuel, which is translated, God with us. Matthew 1:23

Most likely, Joseph's name brought a smile of anticipation to Mary's lips as she sewed her wedding dress with delicate decorative stitches.

Perhaps Joseph daydreamed about Mary as he smoothed a surprise tabletop he had hidden in his shop.

Young optimism colored their future, thrusting even the harsh Roman occupation back into the black and white of their minds. Their marriage, carefully arranged, would be carried out in a matter of months.

But even the noblest of plans took an unexpected course when the Divine Hand pressed them in another direction.

An angel interrupted Mary's predictable expectations. "Behold you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call his name Jesus . . . the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

A most unusual dream arrested Joseph's attention. "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." This reassuring appearance from an angel of the Lord sopped up his spilled emotions, the perplexed disappointment running down the sides of his soul.

"Let it be to me according to your word," Mary whispered in worship.

"Then Joseph . . . did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus."

They exchanged a wedding celebration for a quieter beginning. Their reputation for the first glimpse of Redemption. Did Mary use her wedding dress to make swaddling clothes? Did Joseph fashion a cradle from an unfinished table?

Sometimes God's divine hand steers our earthbound plans in another direction. His unmistakable nudge presses us to alter or even abandon them. He may ask us to exchange our dreams and preparations for something of eternal significance. For a higher purpose, one that fits His kingdom agenda.

Joseph and Mary followed God's directives. We can too.

Immanuel has come. "God with us."

posted by Will Ravelob at the PHIAA e-group