"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 vigrin, she became pregant through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18 NLT)
God is great interrupter of man’s plans. Mary and Joseph had intentions, ambitions, an idea of how they hoped their life was going to go. They met, set their hearts on marriage and probably a happy life in sleepy Nazareth. Then an unexpected and decidedly intimate visit from the Holy Spirit changed all that. The nativity scene that we love so dearly is the direct result of divine interruption.
Joseph’s consideration of the situation only includes a few scriptures, but I wonder just how long it took the godly couple to adjust to the rearrangement of their lives. Days? Weeks? Months? Were they wondering on their way to Bethlehem? Confused when the shepherds arrived to worship a newborn? Further confounded when the wise men fell on their faces at the manger? Exasperated as they fled to Egypt? We romanticize this story, but this flesh and blood couple lived it, likely cried and questioned at every redirection.
Joseph and Mary exhibited incredible and ongoing faith amidst deteriorating conditions. God knew He could trust them to respond rightly to His interruption. These two souls were absolutely set on honoring the Almighty in spite of their questions.
Consider what they traded out to parent the tiny Savior. They surrendered an ordinary existence: a joyous wedding, community acceptance, financial stability and consistency. Instead they received a front row seat for the care and keeping of God’s only child. They followed along as the Good Father moved miraculously – almost effortlessly – through the meddling and mistakes of mankind. They experienced His unwavering provision and protection. And somewhere along the way, they gained His heart for His Son.
We make plans because we want life to be good. We look around and long to live like everyone else, but we forget that humanity is miserable for the most part, broken and far off from God. Most of us are living for the wrong things. God interrupts because He loves us too much to send us off into our little plans. He has something far more adventurous in mind. I’ve been in Proverbs all week and I keep tripping over verses about God’s plans eclipsing our own.
"We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)
"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purposes will prevail." (Proverbs 16:9 NLT)
"The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?" (Proverbs 20:24 NLT)
That last one really gets me. I like to understand, even strive to understand. Unanswered questions are hard for a GT girl like me: how can we make the grade if we don’t comprehend the material?
Life is not as straightforward as a standardized test. Faith doesn’ nearly t fill in the bubbles on our answer sheet. Some of our questions will remain inconclusive, at the very least in this life. After that, it’s God’s prerogative. (My dear friend, Steve, and I like to debate about this. I hope to gain a peek behind the curtain in heaven, enjoy divine discussions and such. Steve says it won’t matter and we won’t care. We shall see.)
Rob and I are in a season where our plans have gone awry. Honestly, we are both grieving as we let go of what we could have been, as I’m sure Joseph, and maybe Mary could relate. We are in the thick of the interruption, but when I consider the scope of the holy family’s story, I become more confident. God interrupts with intentionality. While the immediate may be uncomfortable; surrender and obedience will ultimately open doors we could never access on our own terms. We are learning to welcome His interruptions and trust that His plans far-exceed our own.
"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9 NLT)
Lord, we don’t like interruptions. We’d far prefer for our live to move forward, You know, as planned. How quickly forget, we can’t see things from Your perspective. You possess holier priorities. You are moving humanity toward full restoration: who are we to get in the way of that? Please forgive us for our insolent resistance. It’s a tough thing, letting go of the reigns on our life. Yet we trust You. Your track record is impeccable. Captivate our hearts as we offer complete cooperation. Have Your way, O Lord. We are open to Your next adventure. Amen.