About The Future

Over Christmas, a friend said something that made me look at the nativity story with new eyes. Usually, when we look at it, it is with all the information we have inherited. All we know about Jesus’s life & death & resurrection. We interpret it through nearly two thousand years of theology & church life.

But Mary & Joseph had none of that. They new their baby was special in some way. The visits of the shepherds & wise men pointed to that, but it would not have been very clear. The vision they had had, told them to name him Jesus. It meant ‘saviour’, but it was a common name. Even being told that would save people from their sins was not very explicit, seen from where they were I suspect.

It was made harder by other events. Mary & Joseph were not in control of their lives. They had been compelled to go to Bethlehem for a census on Roman orders. Then, King Herod’s soldiers were in the way, & they had to run for safety to Egypt as refugees.

Looking at latter events, I am sure it was a blessing they did not know in detail what their life held for them all, especially about the baby’s call to preach & die.

There are times when we wish we knew more about the future. Moments when we would like to feel in better control of life, but we can’t. Life is not like that. Each day we walk into the unknown as Mary & Joseph did. And, like them, we find strength from that one day. And then the next.

We have one advantage though, that they did not have. We do know who Jesus is, & what he has done. And we have the confidence of walking into each day with him.

It is easy talking God, about not being anxious. Taking each day as it comes. “No point in worrying, they say”! I am not so sure about that, the things I worry about do not usually happen.

I look at Joseph, & his responsibilities. A wife, new baby, away from home, & pushed further by forces he could not control. Did he have the same moments of panic that I have? Bleak moments, when it seems that nothing that I know will help me through the day. And I am running scared, tail down, ready to jump in the nearest hole.

Sometimes God, I wish you would tell me more. Prepare me; whisper in my ear a weather forecast of a sunnier day tomorrow. Or warn me of the storm to come, so I could grab a spiritual umbrella & stay dry.

But then I realize I know all I need to know. And that is the fact that you know all my needs. And, wet or dry, in calm or storm, you are in it with me. And that is enough. Just for today.


Acknowledgment
Matthew 6: 31-34