December 10–The Bigger Picture

Good Monday and I hope you had a great Sunday in worship. Yesterday, our pastor asked “Has God ever disappointed you?” And if you’ve walked with God for any length of time, the answer is “yes!” I can name 3 or 4 occasions when I knew God could have fixed something, but He didn’t and I was left with more than disappointment. 


Do you think Joseph felt disappointed with God? Here he was, at one of the happiest times of his life, being engaged to his sweet Mary and the worst thing he could imagine is happening. Do you think before he knew the whole story, he may have asked God “Why? Why couldn’t I just have a nice wedding? I deserve that don’t I? Why did you let this happen to her?”


“The birth of Jesus took place like this. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. Before they came to the marriage bed, Joseph discovered she was pregnant. (It was by the Holy Spirit, but he didn’t know that.) Joseph, chagrined but noble, determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:18-19‬ ‭MSG‬‬


Bless his heart, he was going to do the sweetest thing he could and send her away quietly, but can you imagine how devastated he must have felt? But Joseph had been chosen among all men to be the earthly father to the Savior. There was a much bigger picture here that he had yet to see. And when we are disappointed because God doesn’t act when or as we think He should, we need to know there is a bigger picture. 


“There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:3-5‬ ‭MSG‬‬


God of Glory, we worship you this day because you are holy, glorious, majestic and seated on the throne of Heaven. Thank you for always being on time and always giving us exactly what we need. Thank you for inviting us into your presence through prayer and we pray for a stronger consciousness of who you are and who we are. Help us to understand disappointments lead us to patience and virtue, making us ready for what you have for us to do. You alone are worthy of our praise. Amen and amen. 


Love you dear friend, 

Pam

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