Holy Boldness

Joseph was obviously a deeply sensitive and submitted man. He seems to have had a propensity for prophetic dreams. But what was truly remarkable about him was his willingness to be led by all of the divine communications and his humble submission and obedience to the things he was directed to do. Repeatedly he was instructed through dreams and each time he responded obediently and promptly. This reveals meekness, humility, and a profound degree of maturity. Joseph was a man willing to be led by God. All of this points to the fact that making a place for Jesus will bring a confrontation to one’s selfish inclinations. Joseph and Mary were thrust into a volatile journey of obedience and trust that brought them face to face with scandal, inconvenience, lack of accommodation, misunderstanding, multiple changes of location… as well as glory and wonder, historic significance, and impact. Inevitably, walking things out with Jesus will seem detrimental to what you thought your life was about but also over and beyond what you ever considered possible. What does a person do when serving God no longer seems beneficial to one’s life but rather a huge inconvenience? At first blush, serving God seems romantic and exciting. However, often walking with God confronts insecurities and selfishness within. That is the moment a person decides who or what they believe in. This is the place of separa tion between the genuine and the superficial. It is the difference between dying to oneself and living for oneself. It is the difference between the glory of God and the glory of man. This is the valley of decision and place of the altar of God. The prophet Simeon foretold that though Jesus would be the greatest blessing the world had ever encountered, His life would also leave people with many questions. Mary and Joseph were not exempt from the challenge that Jesus would create. But from the beginning, Jesus’ parents’ journey accommodating His entry into the world was nothing short of extraordinary. It was obvious that God had chosen Mary and Joseph for a very specific purpose. It was to provide a safe place for Jesus to grow in wisdom and stature with God and men. With that choice, Mary and Joseph’s life changed forever. There was no going back. What is so Letting Go of Control

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