Get It Together!

I recently fell into sin, again. After repenting and finding renewal, I was looking back on the moment and thought to myself, “I need to get it together.” Jesus is coming back soon, and if I wanted to prove that my faith and worship weren’t in vain, I was going to have to stop letting myself go back to past sins.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. What does this have to do with the Christmas Story? Well, when I told myself I needed to get it together, I meant it as I needed to get more disciplined, I needed to trust God more, and I needed to look forward and not back (these are starting points to not sinning, btw). These were things that both Joseph and Mary had to do when they were first given the news of Jesus. So, let’s dive into the Christmas Story!

In the book of Matthew 1-2, we are introduced to a just man name Joseph discovers that his betrothed is already pregnant with the Son of God! Now Joseph was rightfully taken aback by all of this, but his reaction was gentle and logical. Instead of shaming Mary publicly, Joseph planned to just divorce her quietly and be on his way. But the angel Gabriel visits him in a dream and reassures him that Mary’s baby is that promised Messiah that they have been waiting for. When Joseph reawakens, he immediately takes Mary as a wife and is with her when Jesus is born. Throughout chapter 2, Joseph is given dreams to help him escape to safety with baby Jesus and His mother. So, Joseph decided to get disciplined (obeying God despite the situation), trusts in God (listens to the dreams), and looks forward (raises Jesus as his own).

In Luke 1, young Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she will give birth to Jesus. Although Mary is confused and probably scared about the situation, she responds in humble obedience and praise to God. So Mary has discipline (listening to the angel), trusts in God (humble obedience), and looks forward instead of back (praises God with a beautiful song of prayer)

Now, neither Joseph nor Mary sinned so greatly they had to give themselves a pep talk like I did. But the same principles are here. Whether we’re resisting sin or just trying to obey God, we need discipline, trust, and to look forward to what’s ahead. Because obeying God means you don’t have time to sin against God. When you receive God’s calling for you, whether you go to Him or away from Him, you’re going to take the same steps. So be encouraged this Holy Season, and trust that God will give you what you need to be a part of His kingdom.

Be disciplined. Trust. Look Ahead.

-Sherry Amor