Words that Changed the World

Words that Changed the World

The Bible doesn’t tell us a lot about Joseph. We know that he was a carpenter, that his family roots were in Bethlehem, and that at one point in his life he got engaged to a girl called Mary. And then everything changed. Matthew in his gospel records how in a dream one night an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: ‘Joseph Son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.’ (Matt 1 vs 20) And with those words everything changed. The Bible tells us ‘When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord commanded him.’ (Matt 1 vs 24).

Time and again in both the Old and New Testaments it is this central rhythm, of hearing God speak and obeying what He says, that allows us to enter into the heart of His plans for us and for His world. When Joseph heard those words his life changed instantly. Often however the change that God wants to bring about in our lives, through His word, takes place over time.  

In a question and answer session on Facebook earlier this year U2 frontman Bono commented ‘There’s a lot of noise out there.’ Sometimes in a noisy world it can be hard to listen. Sometimes in a busy world it can become almost odd to stop and to still ourselves.

Week by week in Ballyhenry we have that opportunity. In coming to church on a Sunday, in gathering in home groups during the week, in picking up a Bible on our own at home; taking time away from the noise, away from the busyness, to listen. Time and again I am struck by how, when we listen, God speaks. Earlier this year a friend shared a Bible verse with me that had totally transformed his perspective on a challenge he was facing. ‘If that’s not God speaking’ he said ‘then I don’t know what is’. The same God who spoke to Joseph all those years ago still speaks to us today. He wants us to know, at this time in our lives, what it means for us to enter into His plans in new and living ways, individually, as families, and here collectively in Ballyhenry. Through His word (the Bible) He wants to speak and when we hear He longs for us to obey. 

There’s a lot of noise out there, especially at Christmas … but this Christmas may we find time to hear God’s voice. May we take time, in church, in a small group, on our own, to hit the ‘pause’ button, to open our Bibles and to listen to the God who speaks.

One ancient lyric encourages us in this:

‘Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him’. (Psalm 37 vs 7)

When God speaks things change, and life is never the same again; in a very good and special way. Just ask Joseph.