Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
A RIGHTEOUS
MAN WITH RIGHT DECISION
Matthew. 1: 18-23.
When Joseph
woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home
as his wife. (Matthew 1:24)
What is righteousness if it is not practiced
according to the plan of God? Joseph the carpenter of Nazareth lived as a
righteous man. He chose the disagreeable when he understood the mind of God. It
is one thing to choose the disagreeable and another thing to go into the
disagreeable by God's engineering. That is the life of Joseph, as we read in
the Bible. If God puts you in such a place, the life of Joseph is a model. He
assures us about the all sufficient God who will guide us through.
Joseph pays the cost of the decision: Joseph did not count the cost for his
obedience. He took the long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem with Mary who
was to deliver the baby at any time. He had to close the carpenter's shop for a
very long time as he had to go with Mary to Bethlehem and with his family to
Egypt for a long time. Then they went to Galilee before returning to Nazareth.
The journey was not safe and secure. There was no guarantee that his workshop
will be intact and he would get all his customers again. Who would take such a
journey these days with all the risks involved for the sake of keeping the
family? It needs commitment. It needs faith.
With our busy
schedules and hectic pace of life, are we willing to adjust our lives and take
risks for the sake of keeping the family that comes to us as a divine plan. The
main thing in Christian life is not the work we keep for the material well being
but the relationship we maintain and the atmosphere we create in the family by
respecting that relationship.
Prayer: Teach us O
Lord, to seek the righteousness of God. We thank you for the divine
relationships you have given us in a family set up. Help us to grow from there
to Thy Kingdom. Amen
MAR
THEODOSIUS +