“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 1:20-21 (NLT)
Aren’t you glad that Joseph did not discount the message from God? That his faith was strong enough to push aside his pride, ego, human need for acceptance, pursuit of social prestige and simply, humbly, quietly accept the Holy Spirit’s message and anointing on his life.
As I work with God’s amazing men through Fight Club Men, one of the key things we deal with is setting aside our pride and seeking God’s purpose and plan. Joseph understood the beautiful gift that Mary was to him. His life partner who would make him better in every way. He stepped outside the social norms of the day, shedding his pride, accepting that his job was to be Mary’s partner, supporter, protector, encourager and example of faith for his soon to be wife and their family.
What God has for each of us doesn’t always smack us in the face. Our willingness to accept, trust and obey are the foundations upon which God will build His temple in and through us as He did through Joseph in this seminal moment in human history.