The Unstoppable Team

READY

"In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David." -- Luke 1:26-27 NIV

SET

When we think about the story surrounding Jesus birth, it's usually the major events that stand out the most: the angel coming to Mary, her long journey on a donkey, the lack of rooms in the inn, the star that the wise men followed, and even how Jesus was swaddled in a manger. But what about all of the major details that we overlook? Joseph and Mary were no doubt a team chosen by God and immediately hit with trial and adversity from the very start, but they chose to stay together as one and to trust God.

The angel was clear to Mary when he greeted her as being favored by God and made sure that she knew God was with her. Even though they were only preparing to become a team, this would be the start of Joseph and Mary's intentional choice to put God in the center of their lives and relationship. Mary willingly followed God when His special plan for her was revealed, and Joseph was obedient when God instructed him to take Mary as his wife. While they trusted God first, they also trusted one another. With God as their coach, they were eager to listen to His voice and follow His plan no matter the circumstance; they knew God had the very best in mind for their team, and they were willing to do exactly as He instructed.

As a new bride, riding on a donkey about to bring the King of Kings into the world was definitely not another day nor an easy task. Becoming the earthly father to the Savior of the world and leading your family through hardship was probably not what Joseph envisioned, but all that mattered is that's what God envisioned. As a team, Joseph and Mary continued to follow their coach because they knew He would not ever stop leading them, and they knew that God had incredible blessings and plans for them as a team.

As Christian competitors, we know that it isn't always easy to listen to our coaches, and it isn't always easy to follow God either. When we choose to follow God, we make Him our Head Coach, and despite complex or difficult instruction, we can fully rely on the fact that God truly has the very best plan in mind. He not only desires to lead us, but he desires to bless us all along the way. Just as Mary and Joseph trusted and followed God's every word and instruction to them, we can confidently follow Christ because we know He loves us, and we know He is for us. 

GO

• Do you depend on God as your Head Coach?
• How can you adjust the posture of your heart to follow God without doubt?
• Has there been a time in your life when you have decided to trust God with your entire life?

WORKOUT

Jeremiah 29:11; John 14:21; Proverbs 3:5-6

OVERTIME

"Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me and guiding me. Forgive me when I do not follow You and choose to go my own way. Help me to trust You and to obey You as You lead me as my Ultimate Coach. I need You, and I love You. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen."

Claire Britton Claire grew up in FCA, doing Surf camps with her family for 15 years in New Jersey. She graduated from Liberty University in 2020 and now lives in Kansas City with her husband, Eli. Claire works in the Ministry Advancement Department at FCA's Support Center.