The Unstoppable Team

When we think about the story surrounding Jesus birth, it’s usually the major events that stand out the most: the angel coming to Mary, her long journey on a donkey, the lack of rooms in the inn, the star that the wise men followed, and even how Jesus was swaddled in a manger. But what about all of the major details that we overlook? Joseph and Mary were no doubt a team chosen by God and immediately hit with trial and adversity from the very start, but they chose to stay together as one and to trust God.

The angel was clear to Mary when he greeted her as being favored by God and made sure that she knew God was with her. Even though they were only preparing to become a team, this would be the start of Joseph and Mary’s intentional choice to put God in the center of their lives and relationship. Mary willingly followed God when His special plan for her was revealed and Joseph was obedient when God instructed him to take Mary as his wife. While they trusted God first, they also trusted one another. With God as their coach, they were eager to listen to His voice and follow His plan no matter the circumstance; they knew God had the very best in mind for their team and they were willing to do exactly as He instructed.

Riding on a donkey, as a new bride about to bring the King of Kings into the world was definitely not another day nor an easy task. Becoming the earthly father to the Savior of the world and leading your family through hardship was probably not what Joseph envisioned, but all that mattered is that’s what God envisioned. As a team, Joseph and Mary continued to follow their coach because they knew He would not ever stop leading them and they knew that God had incredible blessings and plans for them as a team.

As Christian competitors, we know that it isn’t always easy to listen to our coaches and it isn’t always easy to follow God either. When we choose to follow God, we make Him our Head Coach, and despite complex or difficult instruction, we can fully rely on the fact that God truly has the very best plan in mind. He not only desires to lead us, but he desires to bless us all along the way. Just as Mary and Joseph trusted and followed God’s every word and instruction to them, we can confidently follow Christ because we know He loves us and we know He is for us.