Lean In and Listen "Joseph"

One in eight people in the United States (13 percent, or 30 million) aged 12 years or older has hearing loss in both ears based on standard hearing examinations. Revelation 3:22 says; "Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches." Hearing with the natural ear is important and costly to correct, but even more crucial is hearing with your spirit man what God is saying to you. Have you LEANED IN AND LISTENED?

Joseph heard something that would forever not only change his life but the world. “An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. ²¹ And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20, 21)

What would Joseph need to do to move forward with the Plan of God?

Joseph would need DIRECTION. Too many people in life attempt to live their life without Godly Direction. The results are confusion and living disoriented which is only the beginning of a chaotic life. I wouldn’t know how to rest in peace at night without knowing that I was moving in the right direction in life. Joseph was about to change his whole trajectory based on a “God Word” that came to him in a dream. The natural thing would have been to run away from Mary as far as he could, but God gave him specific directions to take Mary as his wife.

Joseph would need FAITH. God tells each of us, “You can’t please ME without using your faith”. It was a word from Heaven that gave him the faith to move forward. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Have you listened to what the Lord has directed you to do? I have never done anything that was in God’s will that didn’t require faith. It’s crazy to think you can move forward into His divine plan by using Zero Faith! When my wife and I moved to Lakeland FL to go to Southeastern University, we had been married 3 weeks; no money, no place to live, no jobs. Everything said with a loud megaphone, “It’s not going to work.” I had to make up my mind that I would either LEAN IN AND LISTEN TO GOD or give in to my fears and miss God’s will and plan. Thank the Lord, God made a way where there seemed to be no way.

Joseph would need COURAGE. When you have heard from the Lord, God will give you boldness, tenacity and bulldog, snapping turtle power to hold on and not turn loose until you have seen the baby delivered. That is what Joseph and Mary had to overcome: the doubts, fears, and people’s chatter and suspicion about their relationship. They moved forward with courage because they both Leaned In and Listened. Friend, be courageous and move ahead with the ‘Rhema’ word He has placed in your heart as He did for Mary and Joseph. There will come a day of rejoicing when the Baby comes!