It Starts Small

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Scripture Read:

• Matthew 1:24-25

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²⁴ When Joseph woke up, he did as the Lord’s angel had commanded him. He married her ²⁵ but did not have sexual relations with her until she gave birth to a son. And he named him Jesus.

Matthew 1:24-25

“If only…”

These two words are among the most devastating combinations in the entire English language. They are seemingly innocuous, simple words. Yet when merged, they possess the power to paralyze an individual. Indeed, they can bring progress to an agonizing standstill. They halt the very will of God at a torturous pace.

“if only…”

These words represent a person’s belief that they do not have what it takes to overcome life’s challenges and fulfill the calling God has given them.

• If only I had……this
• If only I had……that
• If only I were…..born there
• If only I lived…..over there
• If only I were…..more like
• If only I had……done it that way or this way

Once this mindset permeates a person’s self-image, its grip becomes unyielding. It whirls endlessly like a warped merry-go-round, trapping us in its cycle. These two simple words have stifled the advancement of God’s mighty work more than we could ever conceive. The staggering truth is that this doesn’t have to be our reality if we embrace the truth. Do you understand what triumphs over “if only…”?

“But God…”

No matter how inadequate or inept we may feel about ourselves, when the Lord calls us to specific tasks, He passionately ensures they are completed. The lives of Joseph and Mary provide a vivid illustration of this profound spiritual truth. In hindsight, it can be all too easy for us to breeze past their incredible story.

We long to leap over the preliminary preparations and dive straight into the miraculous birth of Jesus. Yet, in our haste, we often overlook the profound sense of inadequacy that surely plagued these two remarkable individuals. Can you fathom the weight of being entrusted with the care and upbringing of the Savior of the world? What an awe-inspiring yet daunting responsibility! In their very human hearts, this must have stirred immense pressure and anxiety. At some point, they must have felt overwhelmed and inept, grappling with the monumental task assigned to them.

This was an ordinary Jewish couple living within the constraints of modest means. They barely scraped by, their lives defined by struggle and perseverance. Yet, amidst their challenges, they were chosen to bear the incredible calling of being Christ’s parents. This destiny would require them to undertake a daunting journey. They would face obstacles that many first-time parents could hardly imagine. If we can’t hear the “If only…” softly resonating in the deepest corners of their souls, we aren’t truly paying attention.

“But God…”

God knows all things and is all-powerful. He would take this couple of humble means. He used them to turn the tide of human history in astonishing ways. Everything was the breathtaking outcome of their willingness to participate. The Lord had magnificent plans in store for them. He would equip them for the unprecedented calling placed on their lives. They didn’t need to transform into someone else. They just had to wholeheartedly follow the directions given to them. And that’s exactly what they did!

The application for our lives couldn’t be more profound! Joseph and Mary powerfully illustrate that God desires to use our lives in extraordinary ways. This desire far surpasses our own feelings of inadequacy. When He calls upon us, our human nature often clings to thoughts of “If only…” This thought makes us believe we lack the ability to obey. It becomes an excuse that stops us from fulfilling His great commission.

But that is also where Joseph and Mary powerfully remind us. They demonstrate the profound truth that it’s not about “If only…” but rather “But God…!” We can courageously exchange our default feelings of inadequacy for unwavering trust in the Lord’s boundless sufficiency. When we do this, there truly is no limit to what we can achieve through Him. We can fulfill every divine calling God places on our lives… just like the extraordinary examples set by Joseph and Mary.

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