Trusted with Stigma
My dad has often told me over the years, “People are going to think what they’re going to think.” I have found those words to be so true. We often waste so much time trying to “prove” ourselves to others, put out fires, hush gossip, clear up misunderstandings, clarify misrepresentations, or polish up our soiled reputations. Sometimes, this is necessary, but too often our pride is what compels us to spend countless hours laboring at such a futile task, because no matter how convincing you might be, at the end of the day, people are going to think what they’re going to think. Solomon gives this wise advice in Proverbs 26:4-5, “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.”
We know from Scripture that Mary was a virgin who conceived Jesus from the Holy Spirit. We believe that because we believe the Scripture (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-35). However, we have to be honest, if we were alive during that time, and we discovered this teenage girl was pregnant, we would have a hard time buying the story that she was a virgin, and God is the one who got her pregnant. Let’s get real; that does sound a little far-fetched. So, the question that comes to my mind is, “Did Mary and Joseph spend a lot of time trying to convince people of the truth or did they simply entrust that to God?”
While we may never know the answer to that question, we certainly know that Mary and Joseph had to live with this stigma. We read this accusation from the religious leaders toward Jesus in John 8:41, “We were not born of sexual immorality.” The implication is, “as you were.” Add to that the stigma of being perceived a liar and/or a crazy person because you won’t admit the child was illegitimate. That’s a lot to deal with, especially for such a young couple who are just beginning their life together.
Mary and Joseph never asked for this. They were probably not praying that they could be the parents of the Messiah. God did not go over the cost of being those parents and help them weigh out the pros and cons and verify they were up for the challenge. He chose them. He trusted them with this immense challenge that would begin before they were even married and would last their entire lives. What an honor, not simply to be chosen to be the parents of the Christ-child, but for the omniscient Father to know that they were capable of such a challenge, that he saw beyond their financial, influential, and experiential limitations to their potential.
Have you ever faced this – people jumping to conclusions about you, gossiping about you, falsely accusing you, or misinterpreting your words, deeds, or motives? I understand the overwhelming temptation to attempt to justify and polish up your soiled reputation, and I’m pretty certain Mary and Joseph felt this too. Perhaps the worst part is knowing this happened from no fault of your own – just like Mary and Joseph. In times like these I find great comfort in knowing that I am accountable to my omniscient Father who knows me and the truth about me, and as long as he is proud of me, that’s all that really matters.
I believe the most difficult challenges we face are the ones we never asked for, the ones we weren’t privy to and had no chance to weigh out the pros and cons. It’s these challenges that push us to wrestle with God and ask him, “Why?” I can deal with consequences from my own bad decisions. I can deal with a challenge that I decided to take on. But I often struggle to embrace the challenges that blindside me and interrupt my perfectly laid-out plans. However, I find great comfort in knowing that my omniscient Father trusts me with those challenges. I find great joy in knowing that my Father believes in me, even when others don’t.
I pray that if you are facing this unsolicited challenge, you will find comfort in knowing that your Father believes in you so much that he has chosen you and trusted you to bear this burden. I also pray that we all ask, “To what end?” If God has trusted me with this challenge, what is he attempting to accomplish in my life and in the Kingdom? I leave you with the words of Paul in Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
With much love,
Bryan
We know from Scripture that Mary was a virgin who conceived Jesus from the Holy Spirit. We believe that because we believe the Scripture (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:26-35). However, we have to be honest, if we were alive during that time, and we discovered this teenage girl was pregnant, we would have a hard time buying the story that she was a virgin, and God is the one who got her pregnant. Let’s get real; that does sound a little far-fetched. So, the question that comes to my mind is, “Did Mary and Joseph spend a lot of time trying to convince people of the truth or did they simply entrust that to God?”
While we may never know the answer to that question, we certainly know that Mary and Joseph had to live with this stigma. We read this accusation from the religious leaders toward Jesus in John 8:41, “We were not born of sexual immorality.” The implication is, “as you were.” Add to that the stigma of being perceived a liar and/or a crazy person because you won’t admit the child was illegitimate. That’s a lot to deal with, especially for such a young couple who are just beginning their life together.
Mary and Joseph never asked for this. They were probably not praying that they could be the parents of the Messiah. God did not go over the cost of being those parents and help them weigh out the pros and cons and verify they were up for the challenge. He chose them. He trusted them with this immense challenge that would begin before they were even married and would last their entire lives. What an honor, not simply to be chosen to be the parents of the Christ-child, but for the omniscient Father to know that they were capable of such a challenge, that he saw beyond their financial, influential, and experiential limitations to their potential.
Have you ever faced this – people jumping to conclusions about you, gossiping about you, falsely accusing you, or misinterpreting your words, deeds, or motives? I understand the overwhelming temptation to attempt to justify and polish up your soiled reputation, and I’m pretty certain Mary and Joseph felt this too. Perhaps the worst part is knowing this happened from no fault of your own – just like Mary and Joseph. In times like these I find great comfort in knowing that I am accountable to my omniscient Father who knows me and the truth about me, and as long as he is proud of me, that’s all that really matters.
I believe the most difficult challenges we face are the ones we never asked for, the ones we weren’t privy to and had no chance to weigh out the pros and cons. It’s these challenges that push us to wrestle with God and ask him, “Why?” I can deal with consequences from my own bad decisions. I can deal with a challenge that I decided to take on. But I often struggle to embrace the challenges that blindside me and interrupt my perfectly laid-out plans. However, I find great comfort in knowing that my omniscient Father trusts me with those challenges. I find great joy in knowing that my Father believes in me, even when others don’t.
I pray that if you are facing this unsolicited challenge, you will find comfort in knowing that your Father believes in you so much that he has chosen you and trusted you to bear this burden. I also pray that we all ask, “To what end?” If God has trusted me with this challenge, what is he attempting to accomplish in my life and in the Kingdom? I leave you with the words of Paul in Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
With much love,
Bryan
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