The hardest trip I ever took was when my oldest was about three. We went from Wichita, Kansas to Houston, TX. Well, that oversimplifies the journey. We went via NM and then El Paso, TX. We were young and thought we want too see things along the way. Because of our indirect route, it took three days of hard driving to accomplish what should have taken one day. I guess you could tell me about your hardest journey also. Some of you have much harder stories than mine.
In today’s article, I will share the story of a really hard journey. The backdrop for the journey is found in Luke 2:1,3:“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.”
These sound like insignificant words, but in fact are words that turned the world upside down for a young couple expecting a child. The young couple is Joseph and Mary. The decree required Joseph to take his expecting wife on an eighty-mile trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The trip was a hard week’s journey over rough and dangerous terrain. They would not return for more than two years and when they did, their world and our world would be changed. It was with these simple words that God began the story of the birth of Jesus Christ. Reading the story of this journey teaches me that even hard journeys can have great lessons.
Three Lessons
1. God works behind the scenes.
If the Son of God were going to come to earth don’t you think He would come in some grand scene on the most famous stage on earth? Perhaps he would be born in a palace to parents who were royalty. Men would might have done those things, but sometimes God works in small places and in little ways. He had His son born in a tiny town called Bethlehem to a carpenter and his teenage wife.
2. Man does not know ahead of time whether things are good or bad.
Can’t you imagine the consternation of Joseph when he heard that he had to make the difficult journey with a pregnant wife? Mary could not have been excited either. Though now we know that the trip was necessary, they may have thought it was a bad idea. God knew what was best. He still knows.
3. God’s will, will be done.
Joseph and Mary didn’t argue or complain. They obeyed and did the will of God. When faced with hard circumstances, one only needs to make sure what God’s will is and then do it. God never asks you to do a thing without giving you the means to do it. That was true for Joseph and Mary and it is true today.
The next time you find yourself needing to do something difficult, remember the journey of Joseph and Mary. As He was with them, He will be with you.
Lonnie Davis