Let Down | Full of Doubts

When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he didn't have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. Joseph called him Jesus. (Matthew 1:24-25 CEB)

"When Joseph woke up, he did just as an angel from God commanded." That's it. That's all Matthew tells us about Joseph's response to the angel's message. No long speeches about his doubts or fears. No detailed description of how he wrestled with whether to believe what he'd heard. Just: he woke up, and he obeyed.

But I don't think we should read that as easy or simple. I think there's a lot happening between those lines that Matthew doesn't tell us about. Because think about what the angel asked Joseph to do. Take Mary as your wife. Raise a child that isn't yours biologically. Be part of a story that you don't fully understand. Trust that God knows what he's doing, even though none of this makes sense.

That's a lot to ask. And Joseph had every reason to doubt. He could have been skeptical. He could have asked for more proof. He could have wanted more time to think it through. But instead, Joseph chose to trust. He chose to obey. He chose to be part of God's story, even though he didn't have all the answers.

And here's what's remarkable about that: God chose Joseph for this role knowing exactly who Joseph was. God knew Joseph would have doubts. God knew Joseph would be confused. God knew this wouldn't be easy for him. And God chose him anyway.

That's good news for all of us. Because we all have doubts. We all have moments when we're not sure if we're hearing God correctly or if we're just making things up. We all have times when we wonder if we're really qualified to do what God seems to be asking us to do.

But God doesn't just use people who have it all figured out. God doesn't just choose people who never doubt or question or struggle. God uses ordinary people who are willing to say yes, even when they're not completely sure what they're saying yes to.

Joseph didn't have all the answers. He didn't understand the whole plan. He probably had a lot of questions about how this was all going to work out. But he said yes anyway. He trusted that God knew what he was doing, even if Joseph didn't.

And look at what God did through that yes. Joseph became the earthly father of Jesus. He protected Mary and Jesus when Herod tried to kill them. He taught Jesus his trade. He was part of the most important story in human history...all because he was willing to say yes when God called, even though he didn't understand everything.

So if God is asking you to do something and you're not sure you're hearing him right, if God is calling you to something and you're not sure you're qualified, if God is inviting you to be part of his story and you're full of doubts and questions...you're in good company. Joseph felt the same way.

But he said yes anyway. And God used him in ways he never could have imagined.

Will you do the same?

Closing Prayer:

God, we have so many doubts and questions. We're not always sure we're hearing you correctly. We don't always feel qualified for what you're asking us to do. But help us to be like Joseph. Help us to say yes, even when we don't understand everything. Help us to trust that you know what you're doing, even when we don't. Use us to be part of your story, despite our doubts and fears. Amen.