12/10/2024
Have you ever felt like your life was suddenly turned upside down? Like you were faced with a situation so unexpected and potentially life-altering that fear gripped your heart? If so, you're not alone. In fact, you're in good company – the kind of company that includes Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus.
Let's take a moment to really consider the magnitude of Joseph's situation. Imagine living in a small town of about 400 people – that was Nazareth. Now, add to that the cultural context of a betrothal, which was essentially a legally binding engagement. In this setting, Joseph discovers that his betrothed, Mary, is pregnant – and he knows he's not the father.
Can you feel the weight of that moment? The confusion, the hurt, the fear of what others might think or do? It's a situation that could have easily led to public shame and even violence against Mary. As Matthew 1:19 tells us, "And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly."
But then, something extraordinary happens. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream with a message that would change everything: "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20, ESV).
Did you catch that phrase? "Do not fear." It's a refrain we see repeatedly throughout the Christmas story and, indeed, throughout the entire Bible. To Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, the angel said, "Do not be afraid" (Luke 1:13, ESV). To Mary, the mother of Jesus, the angel said, "Do not be afraid" (Luke 1:30, ESV). In fact, over 300 times, the Bible gives us this command: "Do not fear/Do not be afraid."
Why is this so important? Because fear can paralyze us, preventing us from stepping into God's plan for our lives. Joseph's fear was understandable – he was facing a situation that could have ruined his reputation, his relationships, and his future. But God had a bigger plan, one that required Joseph to trust and step out in faith.
I've experienced this kind of fear-inducing, life-changing moment myself. In March 2001, my wife Laura and I lived in Knoxville, TN, with our three small children. I was approached about the possibility of leading a church plant in New Orleans – an area known as "The Graveyard of Church Planting." Talk about a fear-inducing situation! I was plagued by fears of potential shame, rejection, and failure.
But then, in a moment I'll never forget, I heard a song on the radio that spoke directly to my heart. It was "Dive" by Steven Curtis Chapman, and the lyrics hit me like a ton of bricks:
"My heart is racing and my knees are weak,
As I walk to the edge,
I know there is no turning back.
Once my feet have left the ledge,
And in the rush, I hear a voice.
It's telling me it's time to take the leap of faith.
So here, I go. I’m diving in!”
In that instant, I realized that God was bigger than my fears. Like Joseph, I had to trust that God's plan was greater than mine, and it was time to "sink or swim" and go "diving in."
So, what about you? What fears are holding you back from fully embracing God's plan for your life? Here are some steps you can take:
- 1. Identify your fears: Name them specifically, just as I did with my fears of potential shame, rejection, and failure.
- 2. Remember God's promises: Like the repeated "Do not fear" in Scripture, hold onto God's assurances.
- 3. Take the leap of faith: Like Joseph, when he "did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife" (Matthew 1:24, NLT), be ready to act on God's direction.
- 4. Trust in God's presence: Remember that Immanuel means "God with us." You're not facing your fears alone.
No matter what challenges you're facing right now, know that God has not abandoned you. He will walk with you through your fears and help you move beyond them. As we celebrate Immanuel, God with us this Christmas season, why not take your next step with Jesus? Trust in His plan, even when it seems scary. After all, some of the greatest miracles in history – including the birth of our Savior – came from people willing to set aside their fears and say "yes" to God's extraordinary plan, even when His plan seemed scary.
