“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. 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
This is stretching things.
It’s stretching Joseph.
I’ve been reading Ann Voskamp’s Advent devotional “The Greatest Gift” and I love the word she uses to describe it – stretching.
I’ve felt this concept in other areas of my life. At work, when you think you’re not ready for the next big project or promotion, you have to stretch into it. It means reaching into your potential and dragging it up into the now. Stretch into it and be more than you thought was possible.
The responsibility is stretching Joseph.
Jesus is physically stretching Mary.
“What is always stretching us is God.” ~Ann Voskamp
Stretching is what takes us beyond. Beyond easy. Beyond what society says we’re supposed to do. Beyond going through the motions. Beyond our perception of safe.
There is more out there. More love.
Stretch into it.
God is with you, so you know you won’t break. He made you capable of stretching.
He came to us as a baby. We feel as if it’s a stretch to believe it. Why?
We enter this world as a baby. Why wouldn’t he come to us in the way He created?
We are in His image, now He is in ours. We are that intwined in relationship with Him. So when you’re done stretching, contract back to simple.
The way to intimacy is through vulnerability. What is more vulnerable than a baby?
“He climbed down from the throne in heaven to get to you. Climb over the throes of Christmas to get to Him.” ~Ann Voskamp
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