December 10

In this verse from Matthew’s Christmas story, Joseph is struggling with a difficult decision: how to handle the unexpected and inexplicable pregnancy of his fiancée.  His initial inclination was to solve the problem on his own, as quickly as possible, based on his own assessment of what he thought best for Mary (as is the tendency of many men).  God, knowing Joseph’s heart to be in the right place, created a moment of clarity for Joseph by sending him a vision of an angel in a dream to provide him guidance.

We all face difficult decisions, and many of us try to solve our problems on our own without first asking for guidance from the Lord.  This verse reminds us always to seek and be receptive to the word of God, especially as we wrestle with difficult situations.  His guidance not only provides us with clarity, but also a peace beyond comparison.

For me, when I’m struggling to find a path forward on something (or I’m running thin on patience and empathy for my kids), I find myself being more convicted to commit to my morning exercise, usually a good ride on our Peloton bike.  When I do this, I let my body work instead of my mind — I say a little prayer for guidance, and then I listen.  By the time I’m done stretching and showering, I’ve often been blessed by a moment of clarity or inspiration for how I could better face my challenge.

Prayer: I pray that we all prioritize time and make space to ask for guidance from the Lord, trusting that his plans will be made clear for us, and bring us peace.