Chosen Grace

2020 has been quite a year for all of us.

It’s been filled with isolation, fear, and even grief for some people. This year has certainly allowed all of us to feel emotions we wish we didn’t and allowed us to dig deeper within ourselves is one form or another.

So, I’m pretty sure that we’re quite ready for the new year to arrive, However, I don’t want us to think of this year as a bad one. Sure, it’s been filled with plenty of unexpected things- but take joy in the fact that you made it to this point. Did you hear me- you made it!!

That gives me a sigh of relief- and also makes me joyous for the future.

As we prepare to celebrate Christmas tommorrow, I want us to look at Mary and Joseph, the earthly parents of Jesus.

You see, this couple was extraordinary in my opinion. They had their future planned out: they were to be married and live happily every after.

But, God had other plans.

Unbeknownst to them, God was about to change their lives. He had called them to be the parents of well awaited Messiah. And when he revealed his plan to them, they didn’t run away. Nope, they submitted in obedience to God’s plan. Let’s check it out in the verses below:

 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”³⁴ “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”³⁵ The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called^[a] the Son of God. ³⁶ Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”³⁸ “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. -Luke 1:30-38 NIV

Now that we’ve seen Mary. Let’s take a look at Joseph:

¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about^[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet^[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”²² All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ²³ “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”^[d] (which means “God with us”).²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. —Matthew 1: 18-24, NIV

Now, I know it’s a lot of reading, but I encourage you to read it…it’s worth it. As I stated earlier, Mary and Joseph had their lives changed. I can only imagine how they both felt knowing that they had other plans, but having to change them as God called them to something greater than themselves.

And although they could have said no- they didn’t. They decided to follow God’s plan for them. They didn’t freak out, run away, or say no. Mary and Joseph trusted that God would see them through.

And if that wasn’t enough, the couple had to travel late in Mary’s pregnancy to Bethlehem for a census. This journey wasn’t short and sweet. No, it took anywhere between 4-7 days. This must’ve been hard, and yet they kept on pressing through.

Finally making it to Bethlehem, another curveball hit: there was no more room at any of the inns. So they had to stay in a stable.

And yet despite all of that, the couple still remained faithful to the call. They were obedient and God provided for them in major ways.

I’d like to think that 2020 has been the same way for us with curveball after curveball, hit after hit, trial after trial. But in the midst of all the craziness, God provided.

Personally, I’ve seen God provide for me when I didn’t know how he would this year. I’ve experienced his loving presence and peace during a grieving period that my family experienced, and I’ve learned to appreciate the laughter and joy of friends and family.

Mary and Joseph could have called it quits, but they didn’t. Their faithfulness allowed for us to experience the grace that we have now. If it weren’t for them, Jesus wouldn’t have come in the special way that He did.

So, don’t you quit either. Yes, this year has been tough. But- you made it. You’re here. Rejoice!

I pray you all have a great Christmas. Be at peace with your loved ones and stay faithful no matter what. Happy Holidays!!

Lord willing, I’ll see you all in 2021.

With love and faithfulness,

Malaysia =)