Whatever You Want, I’ll Do

These words describe the disposition of the two key players involved in Jesus's birth.

Both Mary and Joseph faced life-changing decisions that appeared unexpectedly. There was no hint that God would intervene in such significant ways. Two angelic visits permanently transformed their simple lives. 

“Mary, you are going to become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God.” 

“Joseph, you are going to become the stepfather of God’s Son.”

Life has dealt me numerous unexpected moments, and I expect you have experienced the same. However, Mary and Joseph’s momentous hours make mine pale in comparison. No two people in the history of mankind have experienced news like this.

I’ve volunteered for many tasks in my life and have been called to accomplish all kinds of jobs, but none like this. I am not sure I would have made the same choice as these two young people.

I want to emphasize the importance of choice. God did not force either of these followers to accept His proposal. Mary could have said, “I don’t think so. Try the girl next door. I’m not going through that kind of shame from my family or this town.”

Joseph’s words could sound like this: “So, you’re asking me to father a child who’s not really mine. You want me to look like a fool in front of my family and friends, then spend years raising a child that’s not my own. Angel, you’re going to need to keep looking.” 

God gave them a choice. And interestingly, the Gospels do not discuss the role of courage in their choices. In a poem called “The Annunciation,” Denise Levertov puts it like this.

“But we are told of meek obedience. No one mentions courage.

The engendering Spirit did not enter her without consent.

            God waited.

She was free to accept or refuse, choice integral to humanness.”

Perhaps Mary and Joseph agreed to their new roles, not because of courage, but simply because they were so accustomed to trying to live Godly lives. They wanted to follow their Master, no matter what. If God said, “Jump,” they said, “How high?”

Oh, that my life could be such an example of pure obedience. The record of Joseph and Mary’s decisions is quite mundane.

God, “Here’s what I want you to do.”

Mary, “Okay.”

Joseph, “Whatever.”

If it were me, I would tell the angel to come back next week. “I’ve got to think about this. This is a big ask, angel.” I would have had many questions for the heavenly being.

So, are you going to explain this to my family and friends? Is God paying for this? Will I be able to have more kids? Are you sure this is the right time for this? And, the biggest question, “Why me?” 

Mary and Joseph didn’t need much courage to say “Yes” to this request. Why? They were so used to obeying God with decision after decision for years; this was simply an extension of who they were – obedient servants. “If God wants me to do this, I’ll do it. I trust that He has a plan, and I know He has the power to carry it out – even through me.”

Jesus’ parents were ideal candidates for this task. They would simply do what was asked of them.

Christmas happened the way it did, and through whom it happened, because two people were willing to choose God’s ways every day. All of those days added up to the most crucial decision of their lives – and they were ready.

May we all be so wise as to follow God so closely that when He presents us with momentous decisions, it’s just another day in the life of _________. No courage needed, just more obedience.

If God had come knocking on your door that fateful evening, would He have had to look elsewhere?

This and every other Christmas, let’s respect the Holy Couple, not so much because of their willingness to become Jesus’ dad and mom, but because they were ready for whatever God called them to do.

Anyone can be ready!

Live Inspired, and Merry Christmas!

Don Mark