Dave's Diary

He’d been lying awake night after night since Mary first broke the news of her pregnancy. He knew he was not the father. Her weird claim that “God did it” only added fuel to the fire of his feelings of betrayal and anger. Doubt, confusion, frustration, disappointment, shame, bitterness – these were the fierce emotions he battled in the dark hours of the night. Despite it all, he loved her, and he had always loved the Lord. What on earth was the right thing to do?

Daily Reading: Matthew 1:18-25

Following the God of the impossible will sometimes present a challenge to our comfort zones and sensibilities. God will not adjust Himself to our expectations and limitations. So, from time to time, we may very well experience God calling us to something very unexpected or unusual. While this is unlikely to be the norm, we should always be ready to respond with the sort of immediate obedience that typified Joseph’s submission to God’s will. Here in Matthew 1, later after the Magi’s visit, and again after his season in Egypt with Mary and Jesus, Joseph responded to God’s uncomfortable, inconvenient call with wholehearted and immediate obedience. He is a great example of surrender and discipleship. His is the sort of attitude that positions us to attempt great things for and with the Lord.

How might the Lord be calling you today? Are you listening? Are you willing to respond if He should call?

Prayer

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, that is enough for me. Amen. (The “suscipe” of St. Ignatius)