Day 2: Control
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
-LUKE 2: 4-5
Those who find favor with God are those who, more often than not, are supplemented with suffering. The pilgrimage to blessed Bethlehem would lead a pregnant Mary nigh ninety miles. Whether escorted on donkey, mule, or the wings of Joseph’s love is of minor consequence. It was without a doubt, a brutal journey. I’m tempted to speculate whether the completion of her days with child weren’t hastened as a consequence of dehydration and stress.
“Birth mother” to Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and Creator of all things seems like a title to be esteemed on the ledger of illustriousness. Yet, the ignoble curses and hardships are tread on her with no less force, and even harder mayhaps.
Even hard things however, can be a joy and there is a contentment to be found in difficult seasons which yield hard-born fruits. That is not the sense of the suffering I see here. What is most painful and burdensome to the human soul is likely not the pains in themselves, but the loss of control.
It can well be observed how the knife in one’s own hand can slice the skin with only a moderate discomfort. Yet the same slicing, with knife in the hand of another is altogether traumatic and injurious.
How abundant the bitterness flows from a man’s soul at the faithful wounds from the hand of God, yet the selfsame man is ingnorantly impervious to all of the crippling wounds proceeding from his own sin and folly.
It may be that our idolatry of self is no more exposed than in our dogged determination to control our circumstances. It may be that in order to be anointed to greater usefulness in God’s kingdom, the control must be winnowed utterly. Dividends of depth are disbursed when we concede control in exchange for the peace of His presence.
Application Questions
Are there ways in which you are struggling with God for control, which may actually be hindering your journey?
Has a recent experience of suffering drawn you away from God rather than toward Him? Might not His presence be the peace you need right now?
Might God be calling you to amplify His peaceful presence in the life of a suffering brother or sister this Christmas?
