Jesus was Born but then What?

Mary and Joseph with the Christ child sought refuge in a barnlike shack the night he was born. There is no way to measure or describe the wonder of it all. The shepherds were instructed by the Angels to go and worship him. All they could bring was her adoration. When they left, the family found themselves alone. It would be two years before the wisemen would come bringing precious gifts. But what about the time in between?

They needed better shelter. They needed food. They needed some source of income to carry them through the coming months. Those who came to Bethlehem to register with the Roman empire for taxation purposes eventually left. The hustle of the town diminished. It is doubtful that anybody visited them. There they were after obeying God’s instructions through the Angels. There they were on their own!

No one could ever have any high or low as did Mary and Joseph. They were exhausted from walking the 90 miles to Bethlehem. No more angels attended to them. Joseph no doubt felt like he was abandoned at certain times by God. He was obedient. He put his obedience into action. After the shepherds came and left then suddenly nothing. What were they to do?

It is our duty as the child of God to be obedient. Our faith is demonstrated by action. God’s leadership in blessing is a wonderful thing. However, we could often find ourselves feeling alone without guidance and without help from God. Just because we followed divine instructions does not mean we will indefinitely enjoy a charmed life. It would not be uncommon for any of us like Mary and Joseph to look around and say, “Now what?” It is easy for us to expect God to continue multiple blessings and heavenly interjections. But that’s not the way life works out.

Any believer that is faithful to the Lord will testify that as soon as they have a high, they are likely to have a low period in life. It is our responsibility to keep our own spirits up. It is our responsibility to take matters in our own hands if God does not provide the means. He has no intention to babysit us all through life. However sanctified our lives may be, God expects us to do our part in making our experiences as best as possible.

Take heart after you have had a spiritual high. A deep valley is likely to follow. In whatever way, God blesses us, he also expects us to fulfill the daily needs we have. Joseph needed to find a house where they could live. He needed to exercise his carpentry trade to bring in funds. He needed to care for his young wife and mother of the Lord God Almighty. Without angelic intervention, it was still up to Joseph that their daily needs were met. There was no time to sulk or be discouraged. They had to muster the courage. They had to continue demonstrating their devotion even though they had no idea what the next day would bring.

God will be there for you, but he also expects you to be there for him. He will provide all the necessary celestial intervention. Afterwards, he expects every one of us to muster the courage and strength necessary to lay the groundwork of what the next day will bring. When it was necessary, God was there. When it was not necessary for his presence to be known, he expects us like Joseph to stand up strong and deal with what life throws at us.