God’s Curveballs - Joseph And Jesus

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Matthew 2:13

Has life ever thrown you a curveball? You’re happily and peacefully enjoying your family, your work, your friendships, and out of nowhere something happens. This may be something from God’s own hand that will change your plans and alter your existence.

The Bible teaches the importance of being able to adjust our course when God wants to take us in another direction. Joseph, the man God called to the role of Jesus’ earthly father, was able to adjust to what God wanted him to do, and God blessed him for it.

After Jesus’ birth, Joseph probably thought that he and Mary would be typical parents, raising their son through an ordinary childhood in their hometown of Nazareth. Joseph would return to his work as a carpenter, and everything would go on as it had before.

The wise men from the East had just left Joseph and Mary when, as they all slept, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to get up immediately and take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because Herod intended to kill Jesus.

Though questions swirled in Joseph’s mind, he didn’t hesitate. He roused Mary from her sleep, and they packed up their meager belongings and took Jesus to Egypt, where they stayed until the coast was clear.

Joseph played a huge part in Jesus’ birth and childhood because he listened when God spoke and was ready to get up and move as God directed him.

You will probably never have an angel appear to you in a dream and ask you to change your life’s course, but that doesn’t mean that God won’t throw a curveball or two into your life. God doesn’t always allow your life to go according to your plans. God knows what he’s doing, and he will bless you in unexpected ways.