Resolute or Receptive

18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18-20)

I wonder if God laughs every time we make a decision. Joseph had considered with compassion how he would handle the unexplained (to him) pregnancy of his betrothed, Mary. He didn't want to embarrass her - her soon-expanding belly would do that - but he also couldn't allow his name to be dragged down with hers. So he would simply call off the engagement and, at least for a while, no one would suspect anything. Upon settling on this course of action, Joseph lay down to rest. God must have watched all of this with amusement because as soon as Joseph's mind was free to hear God, an angel appeared and gave Joseph a new plan and a new purpose.

When considering any plan it's always wise to look at the situation from various angles, striving to arrive at the best outcome for everyone. But, after we've done all of that, we should rest our minds and listen for God with an open heart. The plan God gives might be the most frightening, seem like the most difficult path, or be the thing we feel least prepared for or least want to do. But we can be receptive, like Joseph, and go forward, unafraid, knowing that God is with us.

22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." (Matthew 1:22-23)