GOD’S PLAN FOR OUR FUTURE
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
Matthew 1:18-21 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Have you ever had those moments in life when things didn’t go the way you had planned?
I consider myself to be a man who lives by faith but at the same time I like to plan. I believe God gave me a brain to think and plan. I don’t like to be surprised or unprepared. Almost daily I pray Paul’s prayer from Ephesians, chapter one in which he asked God to show him the purpose, plan, power, and provision of God. I really want to know God’s plan and purpose for my life. Yet often I am surprised at the way things turn out.
Joseph had a plan. He was getting married to Mary. I imagine Joseph’s plan included having a family and living a quiet life as a carpenter. Everything was heading in a good direction until Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant—and he knows it is impossible that the child is his.
The Bible doesn’t give us the conversation between Mary and Joseph when she told him the news. That had to be a difficult moment for both. Mary talks about an angelic visit, a promise of being pregnant by the Spirit of God, and a son who would transform humanity. Joseph’s head must have started spinning at this news. Heartbroken and feeling betrayed Joseph was ready to walk away from the relationship.
Then Joseph gets a visit from the angel. The angel confirms Mary’s story. And Joseph chooses to obey the plan of God—a plan that was a lot different from his plan. Joseph knew there would be those counting the days between the wedding and the birth. He had to know people would talk. He had to know this was going to be a difficult time. But Joseph obeyed anyway.
Maybe Christmas is a good time to pause and ask God what His plans are for our future. Maybe we should open to the possibility that God may want to do something in us and through us that we haven’t yet imagined.
It is ok to have a plan—if we are open to the Holy Spirit overriding our plan. His plan is always better than our plan. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are better than our thoughts.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit I want to know Your thoughts and plans. I want to be in the center of Your purpose and plan. I want to see You working in and through me.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
Lord, your will for my life is always the way.