I'm Just Sayin'!

      "Reading the story of the ages- learning it anew!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

Anybody ever think what it must have been like… to be Joseph?

Joseph… you know, the guy who had his life interrupted by a Bigger Plan he never signed up for?
Just go with me on this…
I had to fill in for my pastor several years ago, on the Sunday before Christmas.
He was out of town and asked me to take the morning service.
As his Youth Pastor, I had filled in for him before, but… THIS was HUGE!
We all know… that’s usually the 2^nd biggest Sunday in church, next to Easter, tied with Mother’s Day.
And I had the auspicious honor, due to family emergency, to preach the Christmas service. So many would be touched.
I had a story stewing inside me… it grew in my heart and in my head, until it became this sermon.
About life interrupted.
Joseph’s life interrupted!
Did I mention that… it was the year that Tamps, Florida had a terrible storm for Christmas.
The community where the church resided had no power until around 9am Sunday morning.
You guessed it—about 30 people showed up! Not the usual 300!
But still… they came, and I had this message, so we had service.
It was really cold for Florida, around 35 degrees that morning.
The heat wasn’t working in the church. Attendees were freezing, but still… they came.
I talked about this man Joseph, who was a carpenter.
Why was he a carpenter?
 Because his father had been a carpenter, and his father, and his father.
And so would Joseph’s son someday.
Joseph was planning to marry the love of his life—Mary.
He had done everything according to his plan: engagement, prepared for the ceremony.
 Planned to just live his life, like his father had lived his.
Just wake up, get dressed, go to work, come home, eat dinner, play with the kids, go to bed.
Repeat!
His life was all planned out. He could see how it was going to unfold, all the way until he died of old age, surrounded by his carpenter sons!
Kind of like we plan out our life.
Then something unexpected happens!
And it changes the course of your life forever.
Something like:
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.   Matthew 1:18-25

Talk about a game changer?

That is NOT what Joseph had planned. Not in the least!
Do you know how bad the talk must have been? She was pregnant! Was it his? If not, why was he marrying her?
He could have had her put away, but instead… He listened.
And people he didn’t know have all benefitted from that fact.
So… you may feel like your life is interrupted by some unexpected circumstance.
But listen… “For I know the plans I have for you, to prosper, says the Lord” Jeremiah 29:11
You have to trust that God has the plan! And you need to listen!
Remember that service that day?
 Had one visitor. He didn’t think church would be open because of the storm.
He was touched by the message. He listened. He surrendered. He went with God’s plan.
Today he is running an orphanage in Tennessee.
Think of the children he has touched—because his life was interrupted by God’s Plan!

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…

Brother “A”

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