MATTHEW 1:18-25 | THE NEW, ANYTHING BUT, NORMAL

THE NEW, ANYTHING BUT, NORMAL

MATTHEW 1:18-25

DECEMBER 18, 2016

A YOUNG HUSBAND, AND FATHER OF TWO, IS TOLD BY HIS WIFE THAT SHE’S HAVING AN AFFAIR; THAT SHE WANTS A DIVORCE; AND IS PLANNING TO MARRY THE MAN WITH WHOM SHE IS INVOLVED.

A DEPARTMENT HEAD IS CALLED INTO HER BOSSES’ OFFICE; SHE’S TOLD THAT SHE MUST TERMINATE SEVERAL SENIOR STAFF, A COUPLE OF WHOM WILL LOSE NOT ONLY THEIR LIVELIHOODS BUT THEIR PENSIONS, TO MAKE WAY FOR YOUNGER, LESS EXPERIENCED, LESS COSTLY REPLACEMENTS;

RATHER THAN PLAY A ROLE IN ALL OF THIS, SHE RESIGNS, VACATING HER POSITION, AND IN DOING SO, ACTUALLY PRESERVES THE JOBS OF SOME OF THOSE WHOM SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN FIRING.  TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM, AS IT WERE.

A LONG-TIME, DEDICATED PHYSICIAN ANNOUNCES TO HIS STAFF, HIS PATIENTS, AND THE COMMUNITY, THAT HE’S RETIRING; SHUTTING HIS PRACTICE; AND BUYING A SAILBOAT ON WHICH HE PLANS TO SPEND HIS RETIREMENT, SAILING AROUND THE CARIBBEAN.

AFTER 45 YEARS OF MARRIAGE, THE LAST FIVE SPENT CARING FOR HER HUSBAND THROUGHOUT HIS TERMINAL ILLNESS, A WIDOW IS NOW LEFT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HER FUTURE, ALONE, WILL LOOK LIKE.

THEY CALL IT, THE NEW NORMAL.  IT’S WHEN THINGS IN LIFE DON’T GO QUITE RIGHT, OR THE WAY WE EXPECTED THEM TO, OR THE WAY WE PLANNED FOR THEM TO GO, AND SUDDENLY, WE HAVE TO ADJUST TO A NEW NORMAL.

THE TRUTH IS, AT LEAST AT FIRST, WHEN THESE KINDS OF THINGS HAPPEN, IT’S REALLY THE NEW, ANYTHING BUT, NORMAL.

WE ARE KNOCKED OFF OUR PINS; WE ARE THROWN FOR A LOOP; WE ARE OFF BALANCE, GRABBING AT WHATEVER WE CAN TO KEEP OURSELVES UPRIGHT, UNTIL WE CAN ADJUST TO THE NEW NORMAL.

AND IT HAPPENS, FAR MORE THAN WE WOULD LIKE TO THINK OR ADMIT.

I’M GUESSING, THAT FOR MOST, IF NOT ALL OF US, LIFE HAS NOT TURNED OUT EXACTLY AS WE PLANNED; AND EVEN IF MOSTLY ACCORDING TO PLAN, THERE HAVE STILL BEEN A FEW DOOZIES ALONG THE WAY, THAT MADE US RESET OUR LIVES TO A NEW NORMAL.

WELL, SUCH IS THE CASE FOR JOSEPH AND MARY.

SINCE WE SPENT A GOOD BIT OF TIME LAST SUNDAY FOCUSING ON MARY, AND WHAT SHE WAS GOING THROUGH IN PREPARATION FOR THE COMING OF HER CHILD – THE CHRIST CHILD;

I’D LIKE TO SPEND A FEW MINUTES THIS MORNING CONSIDERING THINGS FROM JOSEPH’S PERSPECTIVE, AND HOW WHAT HE DID, MIGHT INFORM WHAT WE DO IN SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS A NEW NORMAL.

THE PLACE TO BEGIN IS WITH THE WORDS OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW WE READ EARLIER.

“NOW THE BIRTH OF JESUS THE MESSIAH TOOK PLACE IN THIS WAY.  WHEN HIS MOTHER MARY HAD BEEN ENGAGED TO JOSEPH, BUT BEFORE THEY LIVED TOGETHER, SHE WAS FOUND TO BE WITH CHILD FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT.”

NOT – WHAT JOSEPH WAS EXPECTING!  NOT WHAT HE HAD SIGNED ON FOR!

NOW LISTEN TO MATTHEW’S WORDS CAREFULLY:

“HER HUSBAND JOSEPH, BEING A RIGHTEOUS MAN AND UNWILLING TO EXPOSE HER TO PUBLIC DISGRACE, PLANNED TO DIVORCE HER QUIETLY.”

NOTICE THAT THEIR “ENGAGEMENT;” IN SOME VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE, THEIR “BETROTHAL” WAS CONSIDERED AN ALREADY LEGAL CONTRACT; JOSEPH IS ALREADY REFERRED TO AS HER HUSBAND.

AND AS SUCH, TO BE RID OF HER, HE WOULD HAVE TO DIVORCE HER.

“BUT JUST AS HE RESOLVED TO DO THIS, AN ANGEL OF THE LORD APPEARED TO HIM IN A DREAM AND SAID, ‘JOSEPH, SON OF DAVID, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE MARY AS YOUR WIFE, FOR THE CHILD CONCEIVED IN HER IS FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT.

SHE WILL BEAR A SON, AND YOU ARE TO NAME HIM JESUS, FOR HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.”

THIS WAS THE NEW, ANYTHING BUT, NORMAL – WITH WHICH JOSEPH IS PRESENTED.

“WHEN JOSEPH AWOKE FROM SLEEP, HE DID AS THE ANGEL OF THE LORD COMMANDED HIM; HE TOOK HER AS HIS WIFE, BUT HAD NO RELATIONS WITH HER UNTIL SHE BORE A SON; AND HE NAMED HIM JESUS.”

JOSEPH WAS BETROTHED/ENGAGED/AND FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, INCLUDING, ACCORDING TO JEWISH LAW, LEGALLY MARRIED TO MARY;

SHE WAS NOW PREGNANT, THROUGH NO FAULT OF HER OWN (OR HIS); AND HE PLANNED TO DIVORCE HER QUIETLY, SPARING HER FROM PUBLIC DISGRACE;

AN ANGEL APPEARS TO HIM IN A DREAM, AND TELLS HIM WHAT’S WHAT, AND WHAT GOD’S PLANS ARE FOR THE TWO OF THEM, AND FOR THE WORLD;

SO, JOSEPH, IN ESSENCE, RE-MARRIES HER, DOES AS THE ANGEL HAS INSTRUCTED, AND AS GOD INTENDS.

IN OTHER WORDS, JOSEPH SUCKS IT UP, HE TAKES IT LIKE A MAN, AND DOES WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE NEW, ANYTHING BUT, NORMAL OF HIS LIFE, AND OF THEIR LIFE TOGETHER.

NOW, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS WORTH NOTING ABOUT THIS STORY, AND JOSEPH’S ACTIONS, AND HOW THEY INFORM OUR OWN LIVES, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH A NEW NORMAL.

FIRST, AS WE KNOW, “THE BEST LAID PLANS OF MEN AND MICE OFTEN GO AWRY.”

IN OTHER WORDS, NORMAL – HARDLY EVER IS.

MY GUESS IS THAT IF MOST OF US LOOKED AT OUR LIVES, WHERE WE ARE NOW, HOW THINGS TURNED OUT, EVEN IF MUCH OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED, HAPPENED ACCORDING TO PLAN…

THERE’S STILL A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT NOT ONLY WERE NOT PLANNED, BUT WERE NEVER EVEN CONSIDERED; THINGS WE WOULD NOT-HAVE-THOUGHT-OF-IN-A-MILLION-YEARS.

• WHAT CHILD THINKS THEY’LL EVER LOSE ONE OF THEIR PARENTS AT AN EARLY AGE?
• WHAT PARENT BELIEVES THEY WILL OUTLIVE THEIR CHILDREN?
• ARE WE WORKING AT WHAT WE SAID WE’D BE DOING WHEN SOMEONE ASKED US AS A CHILD: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
• ARE WE LIVING WHERE WE THOUGHT WE WOULD LIVE WHEN WE SET OUT IN LIFE?
• DOES OUR FAMILY, AND OUR EXTENDED FAMILY, LOOK EXACTLY AS WE PICTURED IT WHEN MAPPING OUT OUR LIVES?

“NORMAL,” WHATEVER THAT IS, HARDLY EVER HAPPENS.

SECONDLY, THERE IS DOING LIFE BY THE NUMBERS; COLORING-WITHIN-THE-LINES; THINKING-INSIDE-THE-BOX; DOING WHAT WE’RE SUPPOSED TO DO;

THAT IS, THE “NORMAL” WAY OF DOING THINGS…

AND THEN THERE IS, THE ADAPT, IMPROVISE, AND OVERCOME METHOD OF LIVING; LIVING OUTSIDE-THE-BOX WHICH IS OFTEN REQUIRED WHEN LIFE DOESN’T TURN OUT EXACTLY AS PLANNED.

THAT IS, DOING WHAT’S BEST IN ANY GIVEN SITUATION, WHEN CONVENTIONAL THINKING MIGHT NOT GET US THERE.

JOSEPH COULD HAVE FOLLOWED THE LAW, AND HE WAS PLANNING TO DO JUST THAT, WHEN HE FOUND OUT MARY WAS PREGNANT.

IN FACT, JUST ON THE PRESUMPTION ALONE THAT SHE HAD COMMITTED ADULTERY, HE COULD HAVE HAD HER STONED TO DEATH IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE.

INSTEAD, HE FIRST, DECIDES TO DIVORCE HER QUIETLY, TO SPARE HER THE PUBLIC DISGRACE OF IT ALL; (HE’S ALREADY PRACTICING GRACE RATHER THAN LAW;)

BUT, ONCE THE ANGEL TOLD HIM WHAT’S WHAT, AND THAT IT’S ALL ACCORDING TO GOD’S PLAN – JOSEPH ADAPTS, IMPROVISES, AND OVERCOMES.

IN FACT, WHAT HE REALLY DOES, IS TO TRUST AND BELIEVE IN GOD;

SHOWING HIS FAITH TO BE IN GOD, RATHER THAN IN CONVENTIONAL WISDOM, THE LAW, OR WHAT HE WAS WITHIN HIS RIGHTS TO DO;

JOSEPH, INSTEAD, OPERATES OUT OF FAITH, BELIEF, GRACE, LOVE, AND CARE – AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS ARE OFTEN NOT NORMAL; THEY ARE UNCONVENTIONAL; BENDING THE LAW; A NEW NORMAL.

ANOTHER THING JOSEPH DOES IS TO OPEN HIMSELF UP TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM;

THAT LIFE HAS A WAY OF TURNING OUR WORLD UPSIDE DOWN; AND THAT WHEN THE NORMAL DISAPPEARS…

THERE WILL BE A NEW NORMAL; AND POSSIBLY, A NEW, ANYTHING BUT, NORMAL, FOR A WHILE.

APPLY WHICHEVER CLICHÉ-ED PHRASE YOU WISH:

• WHEN GOD CLOSES A DOOR, HE OPENS A WINDOW;
• WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS, MAKE LEMONADE;
• LIFE BREAKS US, BUT WE ARE MADE STRONG IN THE BROKEN PLACES;
• GOD NEVER GIVES US MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE;
• NOT ALL WHO WANDER, ARE LOST;

YOU NAME IT – BUT THE TRUTH IS, LIFE HARDLY EVER HAPPENS ACCORDING TO PLAN; RARELY DOES IT MOVE IN A PERFECT, STRAIGHT LINE;

AND THAT CAN EITHER BE A SOURCE OF CONSTANT FRUSTRATION FOR US;

A REASON TO SPEND OUR LIVES MISERABLE AND COMPLAINING;

FEELING THAT LIFE HAS LET US DOWN; THAT LIFE IS UNFAIR; “WHY ME?”

OR WE CAN SUCK IT UP, TAKE IT LIKE A MAN, OR A WOMAN, AND DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AS JOSEPH DID, AS MARY DID, GIVEN THE NEW NORMAL OF THEIR LIFE TOGETHER, AND THEIR LIFE WITH GOD.

OFTEN, WE GET TO CHOOSE WHAT TO DO WHEN LIFE DOESN’T GO AS EXPECTED; AS WE PLANNED FOR IT TO GO.

BUT SOMETIMES, WE DON’T; SOMETIMES WE SIMPLY MUST GO WHERE LIFE TAKES US.  BUT, WE DO GET TO CHOOSE HOW WE WILL REACT.

WE CAN GIVE IN, GIVE UP, RESIGN OURSELVES TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED; THAT THINGS WILL NEVER CHANGE; THAT THINGS WILL NEVER GET ANY BETTER;

WE CAN BECOME FRUSTRATED, AND COMPLAIN THAT THINGS ARE NOT AS WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE; OR AS WE PLANNED; OR AS WE HOPED THEY WOULD BE;

OR WE CAN ADAPT, IMPROVISE, AND OVERCOME.

I READ SOMEWHERE THAT BOTH HUMMINGBIRDS AND VULTURES FLY OVER THE WORLD’S DESERTS.

WHAT THE VULTURES SEE IS ROTTING MEAT, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY LOOK FOR. THEY THRIVE ON THAT DIET.

BUT HUMMINGBIRDS IGNORE THE SMELLY FLESH OF DEAD ANIMALS.  INSTEAD, THEY LOOK FOR THE COLORFUL BLOSSOMS OF DESERT PLANTS.

THE VULTURES LIVE ON WHAT WAS.  THEY LIVE ON THE PAST.  THEY FILL THEMSELVES WITH WHAT IS DEAD AND GONE.

BUT HUMMINGBIRDS LIVE ON WHAT IS.  THEY SEEK NEW LIFE.  THEY FILL THEMSELVES WITH FRESHNESS AND LIFE.

EACH BIRD FINDS WHAT IT’S LOOKING FOR.

WE ALL DO.

SPEAKING OF BIRDS…

IN THE 1870’S, AN ANNUAL CHURCH CONFERENCE WAS HELD AT WESTFIELD COLLEGE IN ILLINOIS.

DURING THE CONFERENCE, THE PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE PROPHETICALLY SAID:

‘WE ARE APPROACHING A TIME OF GREAT INVENTION.  FOR EXAMPLE, I BELIEVE THE DAY IS NOT FAR OFF WHEN MEN WILL FLY THROUGH THE AIR LIKE BIRDS.’

BUT ONE OF THE BISHOPS PRESENT ACCUSED HIM OF HERESY.  ‘THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT FLIGHT IS RESERVED FOR ANGELS!’ HE BELLOWED.

THAT BISHOP’S LAST NAME?  WRIGHT.

HIS TWO SONS, ORVILLE AND WILBUR, RECORDED THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL POWERED FLIGHT AT KITTY HAWK, NC, ON DECEMBER 17, 1903.  ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN YEARS AGO, YESTERDAY.

EVENTUALLY, OF COURSE, FLYING BECAME THE NEW NORMAL; THOUGH FOR SOME OF US, FLYING, IS STILL, ANYTHING BUT NORMAL!  HOW DO THEY KEEP THOSE THINGS IN THE AIR?!

AS PEOPLE OF FAITH, WHEN THINGS DON’T TURN OUT AS PLANNED, WHEN LIFE GOES DIFFERENTLY THAN WE EXPECTED…

WE CAN HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO BELIEVE THAT WHAT WE DO, WHEN DONE IN FAITH, WILL BE BLESSED BY GOD; AND THAT GOD WILL BE WITH US IN THE DOING OF IT.

WE CAN ACT IN FAITH; IN TRUST; AND ACCORDING TO WHAT WE BELIEVE;

AND BY GOD’S GRACE, WITH LOVE, CARING FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS, WE CAN CARRY ON WITH LIFE, COME WHAT MAY.

IT IS A NEW NORMAL, EVERY DAY, ALL THE TIME.

JUST AS IT WAS FOR MARY AND JOSEPH, AND FOR BABY JESUS, AND FOR THE WORLD INTO WHICH HE ARRIVED;

THE WORLD HE CAME TO SAVE.