Just do it!
by Colleen Fitzpatrick
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When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife (Matthew 1:24).
As a trained social worker, I have learned that rather than giving advice, it is more helpful to listen, point out options and talk through the implications of such choices. I don’t know about you, but I know that if someone tells me to do something, I am just as likely to go and do the opposite.
I wonder how Joseph felt about his decision to split with Mary. It would seem he had some reservations about it. He did not want Mary to be shamed. And then the angel came to him in a dream and told him what to do! How hard was it for him to change his mind? How did he feel when he did?
Not much is known about Jesus’ earthly father. We know he was not Jesus’ biological father and that he was descended from David. In Matthew’s Gospel, we read that Joseph had several dreams, each of which resulted in decisive action. He was told in a dream not to desert Mary, to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, to go to Israel, and to settle in Nazareth. Each time, he unquestioningly followed the instructions delivered to him while he slept.
Joseph took the angel’s advice on trust – he accepted the spiritual direction that was offered.
When faced with life-changing decisions, it is good to talk them through with others; it’s also good to pray about them and commend our decision-making into God’s good hands, asking that our decisions are blessed. And perhaps looking at the options and the likely outcomes of each is helpful to use for yourself and when others come to you to discuss a decision they have to make.
And, of course, if an angel comes to you in a dream, be sure to trust their instruction!
God of wisdom and strength, be with us as we grapple with decision-making. Help us to accept spiritual directions when they are offered. Bless our decisions so that they may glorify you and benefit those around us. Help us be respectful listeners when others need to talk things through, and thank you that Jesus decided to come to earth so he could bring us to eternal life. Amen.
Colleen Fitzpatrick trained as a social worker and worked in foster care and adoptions. She was the director of Lutheran Community Care in South Australia. Colleen is now retired but is a member of several committees and boards within the LCA and the community. She has a husband, John, two daughters and three granddaughters. Colleen lives in Adelaide, South Australia.
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