How many times have you moved during your life? Have you moved from one town to another? Have you moved from one state to another? Have you moved from one country to another? Why did you move? What was the purpose of it?
People move from one location to another for many different reasons. Some move for job opportunities. Some move because their job has sent them to another place. Some move to escape their current circumstances. Regardless, moving means uprooting.
I have moved more times than I would like to count, covering each of the reasons listed above. I have lived in another country and visited others for short periods of time, ranging from a couple weeks to more than a month. Even traveling to visit, or on orders, requires a lot of planning, packing, and mental preparation.
Mary and Joseph moved to escape. They were fleeing to protect the infant Jesus. They also were following God’s plan, which is a continuation of obedience. Once the danger had been removed, they returned to their native land, again obeying God. They were willing to go where God called them, when God called them.
Rather than focusing only on the hatred, fear, and violence of King Herod, perhaps we should focus on the obedience of Mary and Joseph. We can also see God actively working in this world through the visions given to them. God was their protector. Yet, it required their obedience as well.
I pray we all understand the world is full of hatred and violence. I pray we look for God working in our world. I pray each one of us is willing to be obedient to God and accept his protection. See the world for what it is. See God working in the world. Be obedient to God.
Matthew 2:23: There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazarene.”
Marty Pressey 