What a Privilege

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.
Matthew 1:24-25 (NKJV)

When we think about the account of Joseph, we often focus on the interruption that God brings to his life—the change of plans, the altered agenda, the community speculation and chatter regarding his character and honor, the parental obligation beyond the norm. We often focus on the obedience that was necessary, the tough nature of this divine assignment, and the sacrifice that it required.

However, a fresh reading brought me a new perspective on this story. When I wondered how Joseph could have been so okay with it all, it made far greater sense to me when I thought about Joseph’s immediate response as an embrace of a great privilege. I kept thinking, “Joseph, I understand why you accepted the assignment. You never saw it as an interruption. You didn’t see it as the unexpected. You didn’t greet it as the unwanted. You treated it like a privilege.”

What an honor, what a blessing, what a humbling thought that God purposed human redemption and included Joseph in its facilitation.

Each of us, like Joseph, is in some way called to steward a tough assignment. We are invited to accept in obedience the space and time where we have been assigned—but we can’t steward it powerfully until we can mature beyond seeing these assignments as interruptions and start thanking God for them because of how privileged we are for God to trust us with them.

Do you know what a privilege it is for God to trust you with your kids? Do you know the privilege it is for God to trust you with the job He’s given to you? Do you know the privilege it is for you to be in the generation to which you’ve been assigned?

Stop thinking about the work before you in terms of burdens, struggles, or calamities. It is a privilege for God to have birthed His purpose in you and let you live your life attempting to push it out.

How do we handle the tough assignments God gives us in life? By acknowledging how privileged we are and how much confidence He must have in us to accomplish them.