Shattered Dreams
Advent Week 3: Joseph
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21 (NIV)
Betrayed. Hurt. Humiliated. Have you ever experienced these feelings when you believe that someone has wronged you and shattered your dreams? Perhaps these were the thoughts that ran through Joseph’s mind as he contemplated the mind-boggling reality that his betrothed, Mary, was pregnant and the child was not his own. Even though he was a faithful man, Mary’s story that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit seemed unbelievable. Knowing that the consequence for Mary could be death by stoning, he contemplated how to best separate himself from her, with the least amount of damage to both of them. After “he had in mind to divorce her quietly”, he had an amazing dream that changed the course of his actions. In this dream, an angel of the Lord said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” Joseph’s shattered dreams for the future had been replaced by God’s dreams for him; Joseph believed the angel and obediently “took Mary home as his wife”. While Joseph’s dreams seemed to be shattered, God’s plans for him were better than he could have even imagined. He became the earthly Father for the Lord, Jesus Christ! May we give thanks to God, the dream-giving Father, whose plans are so much better than our own!
As we consider the amazing turn of events for Joseph, let’s think about our own life. (See Matthew 1:18-24 for the full story.)
1. At first, Joseph may have believed that Mary’s actions had shattered his dreams. Has there been a time when you believed that a person’s actions impacted the course of your life or perhaps, just the plans for your day? If so, what happened?
2. Write a prayer to God. Tell Him about any hurt and/or betrayal that you feel. Ask Him for strength, illumination of any missing facts about the situation, the motivation to forgive, and hope for your future.
3. Like Joseph, who became the earthly father of Jesus, God’s alternate path for us can be so much better than our own. As you look back on your shattered dreams, look for God’s handiwork on the alternate path that took place. Write down all of the ways that God worked or is currently working through your heartbreak as He set His path for you into motion.
4. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 Spend some time thinking and praying about this promise from God. Let this verse bring you comfort, peace and joy as you contemplate that God already knows His plans for you and they are set to give you hope and a future.
Lord, God, I know that your plans for me are better than I can even imagine. Please help me as I mourn the loss of my own shattered dreams and give me your strength for today. Help me to follow your leading, knowing that your intention is to give me hope and a future. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen