On Sunday our middle school youth group is going to see the just released movie “The Nativity Story.” After reading a review of a scene from that movie it got me thinking…How often do we react to a situation that we feel sure happened the way we heard it or saw it? Let me explain by referencing part of the story of Mary’s pregnancy.
Matthew 1:18-19 (NIV) This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
I have read this many times in my life and thought I understood the implications for Joseph. But the movie brings out Joseph’s dilemma. His options include the following: He could expose Mary for getting pregnant by another man and thus maybe seal her fate of death by stoning or he could lie not only to the people that knew them but more seriously lie to God and say the child she was carrying is his. Neither seemed the right thing to do. So he just decided to say nothing…that is until the Angel of the Lord told him what was going on. That’s right, he had no spiritual revelation concerning Mary’s condition until after the fact and yet he did not think of himself and his reputation first but he thought of Mary’s instead.
We would do well in life if we lived as Joseph did but too often we feel the need to respond quickly to save face in front of others. I for one have been caught a number of times making an assumption about a situation only to find out later that I had it all wrong. Had I just waited grief, embarrassment, shame, etc could have been avoided. The bible teaches us to consider others first and to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Now that sounds like a good New Years resolution to consider or maybe even a gift to give to someone you love for Christmas. Why wait to implement it on January 1st ?
Roger, over and out!
2 comments:
I know exactly what you're talking about, Roger. There have been plenty of times in my life when, if I were allowed to explain what I was trying to do, then, in many cases, I wouldn't have faced punishment. There were also times that explanations saved me from getting into serious trouble.
However, I do think that there are certain cases when you can't believe what someone says. If someone says, "I didn't steal your Game Boy and all your games," yet you see them whip one out that looks just like yours and start to play a game that you had, you might very well have reason to believe that person did steal it; I would. It's all about situational ethics.
Psa 4:4 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
The psalm suggests that, rather than venting your worry in outbursts against others, you should examine your own heart.
And you don even have to wait until Christmas to do that.
Post a Comment