Advent
December 16, 2016
Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:18-25
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. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. –Matthew 1:18-19
By all accounts, Joseph was a good man, apparently, a devout Jew. We can see that in these two verses. His wife-to-be was disgraced but he was not willing to put her to shame. He was obviously well acquainted with Micah 6:8 and tried to live by it:
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
Women were routinely raped in the Roman siege of Galilee. Perhaps Joseph’s kindness stemmed from that reality. We can only speculate. Whatever the circumstances, Joseph was well prepared for the role he soon would be called to do. All followers of God are called to keep faith, to be ready. We may never be called to do the extraordinary as Joseph was but we are all called to do our part.
During this week of Advent, inventory your readiness to serve. There are many guides to spiritual disciplines. I like Richard Foster’s*, which is straight forward.
- The inward disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, and Study
- The outward disciplines (inward realities resulting in outward lifestyles): Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, and Service
- The corporate disciplines: Confession, Worship, Guidance, and Celebration
You may want to explore others or modify one to fit your needs, but routinely considering the spiritual disciplines is a great way to stay ready to answer any call you may receive.
Prayer:
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24). Amen.
*http://www.albministry.org/pdf/List%20of%20Disciplines.pdf