Change vs. Status Quo

Daily Gratitude Year 4-Day 354: Today...l am grateful for reminder that some things change and some things stay the same. 

This is my scripture for the day. This, during a season that the world is experiencing all kinds of political forces. When Caesar Augustus made a decree... the world obeyed. 

This would be an interesting time to reflect on the rise and fall of governments, but it would take away from the meaning of the season. At the heart of it all, I am reminded that nations will rise and fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever. 

I just read in some non-faith based spot that the two civilizations with the longest recorded written histories are the Jews and the Babylonians/Egyptians. Anyone remember "The Tower of Babel"? The pharaohs were famous for "re-writing history" the way they wanted to be remembered. A scribes documentation could please his king... or cost him his life. 

At the time of Jesus birth, it was Caesar Augustus calling the shots and the world obeyed. 

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. -Luke 2:1,4-5

Did Joseph fuss as he walked beside his ridiculously pregnant wife to Bethlehem? Did he complain about the politics? Was he thinking unkind thoughts of King Herod and Caesar? We don't know. That is not recorded. But, Joseph... a man with a new and very pregnant wife... he certainly was entitled to not be happy about the inconvenience and stress the political climate was placing on him and his little soon to be family. 

I love Joseph... he just did what needed to be done. He was present and engaged. He trusted God vision when his "Man vision" only saw an utterly ridiculous set of circumstances. At some point, did he laugh to keep from crying? 

Vision. 20/20 in hindsight, but looking forward it can seem so crazy. Trust. Joseph is a great example of trust. He was well chosen, this man who worked with his hands. Patience... as beautiful things take time to reveal. 

We can fret... or we can find faith. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Today...l am grateful for reminder that some things change and some things stay the same.