“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:18-19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/mat.1.18-19.esv

Joseph was a good and just man. He had done his best to live right and love right and now that would be tested to the nth degree. As with Mary, Joseph had his own crisis of faith to work through. Not only was Mary his betrothed but his own dreams and goals had to be reconsidered knowing that this event would forever alter his life.

But that’s what it’s all about isn’t it? Jesus always alters our lives. Every follower of Jesus has to wrestle with having drastic changes thrust upon them. Joseph loved Mary and didn’t want to embarrass her or publicly humiliate her. She could have even been stoned for an act of infidelity! Yet Joseph considers all he is told and makes the choice to follow through with God’s plan for their lives.

The plan of God will often look different than our plans. Even a good man like Joseph had his plans changed by God…not because Joseph wasn’t a good man but because God had something more for Joesph and Mary. Sometimes we would rather have a quiet easy life than one of significance. Joseph we are told was good and just and within his rights to put Mary away. Instead he did something greater than demand his rights, he choose God’s plan.

What needs to be altered in your life? What plans or goals is God asking you to let Him change?

Are you demanding some “rights”? Or are you willing to submit to God doing what’s best for you?

How is God asking you to trust Him with your future? Your future relationships? Marriage? Children? Job? Reputation? Life?