Have you ever been given a responsibility that you dread? Maybe you signed up for something in haste and now you are regretting every minute of it. But what about those things that are forced upon us? The child with special needs we did not ask for. The loss of a job that we did not seek. A relationship that crumbled and we can’t figure out why. These are the burdens that stretch our capacity to continue on. These are the responsibilities we didn’t ask for that challenge our faith. How do we steward these situations well?
Remember: Matthew 1:18-25
Today’s passage is a short summary of how Christ’s birth came about.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. - Matthew 1:18-25
Not only does this passage give us a brief explanation of how the miraculous birth of Christ happened, but it also gives us a glimpse into Joseph’s character. I love how the movie “The Nativity Story” portrays Joseph. Strong, yet gentle. Bold and protective. Responsible and tender.
The word “steward” means “acting as a responsible caretaker for something that is not your own”. Not only was Joseph a steward of the life of the Son of God, but he would also become his earthly, adoptive father who would teach the Son of God a trade, show him how to carve a table, provide for a family, and be a man. Joseph felt the weight of his responsibility for Mary and the Son of God. Joseph was being asked to steward and care for this child, which was not his own. How amazing that Immanuel “God with us” would be cared for by a simple carpenter. Joseph took his responsibility seriously.
And he called his name Jesus. Joseph’s obedience and ownership of a situation he did not ask for is a clear example of stewardship.
Reflect
What if we saw our seasons of silence and waiting as precious gifts to steward? Things entrusted to us for a time. Can you imagine what kind of shift would take place in our hearts if we viewed our season of suffering as a gift to steward?
Helen Roseveare was a missionary who was captured and experienced unimaginable abuse at the hands of her captors. She explains in one of her books about her life that she sensed God saying to her in her suffering: “Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience even if I never tell you why?”
Your season of suffering is yours to steward. Have you ever thought about that? How are you caring for your suffering in the silence? Like Helen, when we look at our suffering through the lens of stewardship, our thoughts shift from a victim mentality to a victor mentality. God must trust you so much for you to carry this suffering. How will you steward your suffering?
Respond
Carry this breath prayer in your heart today:
Breathe In:
Jesus, I receive this suffering
Breathe Out:
Help me steward it well.
The Journey
This journey will take us through December 25th. My hope is that it would bring you encouragement in whatever waiting room you find yourself in during this Advent season. Each daily podcast will be short and sweet, leaving you with something to carry in your heart as you wait. You can also subscribe to my newsletter here.
