Thursday, December 15- Keep Walking

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. ²This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. ³All went to their own towns to be registered. ⁴Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. ⁵He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child.
                                                                                                                                       --Luke 2: 1-5

Hey Joseph Keep walking Hey Joseph keep walking
Hey Joseph Keep walking To Bethlehem
Hey Joseph Keep walking Hey Joseph keep walking
Keep walking Joseph you're part of the plan

  --Peter Mayer, Stars and Promises Alive   http://www.petermayer.com/songs/hey-joseph

          Dejected upon returning to England after a most difficult time attempting to be pastor to the new American colony of Savannah, John Wesley meets with a Moravian friend Peter Böhler. Wesley was considering leaving the pulpit. He was burned out and somehow couldn’t grasp the concept of justification by faith alone. He told himself, “How can you preach to others if you don’t have faith yourself?” John asked Peter if he should stop preaching.

          Böhler replied, “By no mean.”

         
          Then Wesley asked, “But what can I preach?”

          Böhler answered, “Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, you will preach faith.”

          Though we often wish we could catch a more inclusive glimpse of God's plan for our lives, faith is more often lived a day at time, a prayer at a time, a step at a time. Böhler's advice to Wesley wasn't about blind faith. It was about trusting God. At some point we have to trust that, in the Holy Spirit, our hearts know or will find the right way to proceed. 

          I imagine Joseph and Mary questioning just what it was that they were about to undertake. I also imagine Joseph and Mary's eight to ten day walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem as a time of great soul searching. Away from the pressures and talking of family and friends, Joseph and Mary could be alone together immersed in God's presence. As they moved closer to Bethlehem, one step at a time, they moved closer to God and each other.

          I am drawn more and more to Peter Mayer's song, Hey Joseph. So many times along the way we question if we are the right person, if we have what it takes, if God is really calling us. "Keep walking Joseph you're part of the plan," reminds me that each of us are part of the plan, God's plan. It is so easy to stop and doubt. It is so easy to be drawn in the wrong direction. 

          Keep walking! We'll get from Nazareth to Bethlehem one step at a time.

          Advent Blessings,

          Rich