Surrounding Jesus during this time were very important people. In the previous post, the Lord revealed that Mary, Jesus's mother, was not someone to skim over in the Christmas story but an example of undoubted faith that we can all learn from. However, the Lord began to put the other side of the nativity on my mind, a persistence I could not ignore. Joseph.
What about Joseph? Jesus's earthly father. Maybe you're like me and just like I had with Mary, I had never given Joseph much thought. But, the more the Lord revealed, the more I saw just how essential Joseph's story is to the Christmas story as well.
Side note: Isn't it amazing just how intricately the Christmas story is? How God's fingerprint is uniquely placed on each and every person involved? A personal, intentional God that leaves no detail up to question but continuously works in the lives of His children.
Just thought a little praise and awe should be stuck into the message. After all, He is so, so worthy of praise.
Apart from looking at Mary, let's take a closer look at Joseph specifically. Here is where I need the manly readers of mine to pay close attention. It is undeniable that Joseph is in fact the perfect example for Christian men and displays how to pursue relationships. My ladies, don't think that you can stop reading here. I encourage you to continue reading so that a man like Joseph will be the desire of you heart and that your "dream guy" will portray these qualities...they're VITAL to a Christ centered relationship. Yes, VITAL.
Okay, guys, first off don't ignore that Joseph was immediately faced a trial in his relationship with Mary. Mary came to him, soon to be his wife, with the announcement that she was pregnant with Jesus. Talk about a shocker. Joseph knew that he and Mary had never been intimate with each other and was, naturally not very happy with the news. In Matthew 1:20, is states that Joseph made plans to send Mary away quietly because he did not believe her. Joseph was not perfect because just like all Christians and nonChristians alike, he was sinful and doubted. Don't we all? Joseph was no different.
Soon after while Joseph was sleeping, God sent an angel to Joseph. The angel explains everything to Joseph and he believed. Joseph fixes his eyes on the Lord and his faith is strengthened. Then Joseph and Mary begin their journey together. Joseph dealt with his trials with Mary through faith. Because Joseph saw the angel and listened to the Lord, Joseph and Mary's problems were solved. It is Joseph and Mary's faith that keeps them together despite their trials. This is essential, guys, for you to strive for. To continuously look at the Lord for answers and through trials with whoever you are in a relationship with.
Mary and Joseph begin to travel towards Bethlehem. Traveling on the donkey, Mary is lead by Joseph. Their journey couldn't have been easy, surely they faced bumps and endured bruises along the way. But, they made it. Don't skip over this part, it's very important. Joseph lead Mary to the place where they would both be with Jesus. All physical aspects aside this is directly an example for all you guys in a relationship, about to be in a relationship, wanting to be in a relationship, where ever you may be in your stance surrounding dating. Just like Joseph lead Mary to the place where Jesus was to be born and they would finally meet him, so also are you called as men of God to lead your future, or present significant other towards Jesus. This was Joseph's role. It is the man leads, it is a man of God who leads with the intention like Joseph. Don't get me wrong, I am not anti feminist. I am a lady that loves her independence, but you best believe, if Joseph strayed, it was Mary who was after Joseph and striving to bring them both back on track.
This should be your foundation and your relationship should mirror this journey. Sure, it won't always be easy and yes, you won't always do it right but by grace, it'll be alright. Constantly point you and your significant other to Jesus in every decision you make individually and as a couple. Fight your smallest to your toughest battles with and for Jesus and point one another towards Him instead of towards each other. Such a relationship is what God has designed and is in every fashion "Jesus-centered". This kind of dating and pursuit puts love where love should be, a love for Jesus and a pursuit of Him as your focus. Allowing each of you to love Jesus first and let all other things fall into place where He has planned them to go.
God used Joseph to show men how a man after His own heart and strong faith in Him should strive to lead in a relationship. Ladies, say hello to your new standard. I pray that all of you will prayerfully consider all the lessons God shows us through Joseph. From facing trials to leading a relationship, it was all done with Jesus, for Jesus and by Jesus. And, that my friends, is a Christmas lesson you can't ignore.
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