Sunday Breakfast with the Word With A Story (Preparation for Sunday)
A Perfect Family with Imperfect Circumstances
(Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23).
Holiness is not the absence of problems, but the courage to trust God together.
Mr Emeka is a dedicated farmer, who everyone believes that He is blessed beyond measures by God. He was so much admired for his tenacity and hard work, until life hits him unawares. He did not expect life to turn this way.
One sudden setback at work happened and he fell into months of financial pressure.
At a point, rent was due, paying of school fees were uncertain, every night became longer for him infact, and he was filled with quiet worries.
His friends advised Him to seek his way through fetish means. He thought of that, thought of how dedicated his family is to God, but decided to keep trusting in God.
He wanted a change of life, yet he does not want the one that will go through charms and fetish elements. His faith in God was hanged.
Obianuju, the wife, felt the weight too. Some days, fear knocked loudly on her heart. She was afraid her husband might be misled, because the burden was heavy. Yet every evening, she gathered her family for prayer, not because everything was fine, but because she believed God was still present.
Their little daughter Chika noticed the change. She advised daddy to keep trusting in God, that life is not about money alone. She was worried.
Hence, She woke up one morning and noticed something else: her parents still held hands during prayer, still spoke gently to each other, trusted God together.
Their family was not living an easy life. But they were choosing faith over fear. After several months of challenges, God still came to the rescue.This is the core story of the Holy Family.
The Holy Family teaches us that holiness is when we totally choose God over problems. They reveal to us that Holiness is not the absence of problems, but the courage to still obey and trust God despite whatever comes to them.
The Holy Family became Refugees.
The Gospel of Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23 tells us that after the visit of the wise men, danger entered the story of Jesus’ family.
An angel warned Joseph in a dream “Get up, take the child and his mother with you, and escape into Egypt.”
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That very night, Joseph simply obeyed. Joseph did not ask what he might face along the way, how they are going to be fed. Rather, He trusted that since the direction is from God, everything is going to be fine.
The Holy Family became refugees. Yet they were not worried. They left their home and lived in a foreign land.
They faced uncertainty, danger, and fear. Yet the bible never tells us they complained.
It tells us they trusted God and stayed together. This is the true act of Holiness.
Holiness is when we decide not to be misled away from God, despite the problems that may come our way.
YOU CAN READ THE LONGER VERSION OF THE BREAKFAST WITH THE WORD HERE
Conclusion
1.Joseph did not delay or postpone the message of the angel. He acted immediately. He left that very night.
We have to know that there are some family decisions that should not be delayed or postponed.
Protecting each other, helping each other, coming together as one, peace, praying together, and other values that require prompt action like Joseph. Families survive when they listen to God and act without delay.
2.Secondly, God may lead us through unfamiliar paths. Egypt was not their home. It was foreign and uncomfortable. Yet it became a place of protection.
So, If your family is in an unfamiliar season, new struggles, new responsibilities, new sacrifices, etc, it is still not a reason to give up on God. It may still be the hands of God. He can still be there. Do not give up fast.
3.Mary and Joseph did not know how long the exile would last. They did not even ask. They just trusted God one day at a time.
So, In times of challenges, Families don’t need full answers, they need daily trust.
4.Unity protects destiny. It is good for families to come together and work as one. Jesus’ mission was safeguarded because His parents stayed united, obedient, and prayerful.
Therefore, when families stay together in faith, destinies are preserved. Breakthroughs happen when good heads and good hands are put together.
5.The Holy Family shows us that holiness is proven in those times challenges or problems force us to lose it. What led many today to lose their closeness or relationship with God are the challenges they faced.
They sacrifice their holiness at the altar of challenges. We have to know that problems do not mean the absence of God and Poverty does not cancel God’s presence. So, we do not have to lose hope at this time still.
Let us understand that circumstances and uncertainty does not defeat God’s plan. Just like Emeka, Obianuju, and Chika, your family does not need to be perfect. It only needs to trust God together.
May God have mercy on us, protect our families and give us the grace to live together as one. Happy Sunday.
