Unresolved

Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to divorce her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid…” – Matthew 1:19-20 (NRSV) 

When Joseph heard about Mary’s pregnancy, he was not thrilled. I’m quite sure he did not greet the news like Elizabeth, with jubilant affirmation, or like Mary, with a song of prophetic joy. To him Mary’s pregnancy was a disgrace. As far as he could tell, his betrothed had been unfaithful. He must have been devastated.  

Thank God Joseph had the wisdom and faith to listen to the angel and wait it out. Think of what he would have missed if he had gone ahead and “resolved” the big problem that was the Son of God.  

The season of Epiphany invites us to look for the places where God is unfolding before us. It’s natural to look for God in places that feel exciting or promising—an engagement, an acceptance letter, a new job.  

But don’t forget: God is at work in the disappointments and failures, too. God is in the midst of the divorces and rejections and that most recent round of layoffs. Moments that feel humiliating, heartbreaking, or downright hopeless can be the very moments when God is cooking up something beyond our wildest dreams. 

If you are in a low place right now, listen to the words of the angels: “Do not be afraid.” They’re not just for our biblical protagonists. They’re for us, too.  

Prayer
Holy One, may I trust you far more than I do myself, because you have way better ideas than I do. Amen.

About the Author
Rev. Kate Kennedy is a New Hampshire-based UCC pastor pursuing a career in family therapy.