Over the last several years the suburban congregation I serve has developed a relationship with a church in our city. It came about after I met the retired priest who was serving this city church, pro-bono. In a massive and beautiful sanctuary needing major enhancements and repairs he led Sunday worship for a small remnant. A larger and growing contingent of children and teens utilized the undercroft space for an afterschool program during the week.

I was the new rector seeking opportunities for relational outreach ministry. Ministry that required hands, feet and hearts in addition to financial support. At our first meeting, as the priest shared the challenges and the opportunities his community faced, I felt the Holy Spirit was up to something. That our congregations and buildings needed each other.

Plus, when I left that meeting, driving past the street adjacent to the church I noted the name. It was the same name as the street where my church resides. To me, that was a sign.

Six years later the relationship continues to grow as we seek ways to redevelop the building, support the youth ministry, and figure out what God is calling and leading us to do. The building is still in need of major repairs. The neighborhood has significant challenges. How will we find financial partners? How will we contribute to systemic solutions in the face of seemingly insurmountable socio-economic problems? How can we get more people to join with us in supporting this effort? Are our dreams possible? There are so many questions. It is a daunting undertaking.

We have no idea what Joseph is feeling in this snippet of scripture but I’m sure he is wrestling with big questions about his future. We are told he is a man of planning, intention and resolve. He thinks about his actions before he takes them. From these few verses I imagine Joseph writing out a list of pros and cons before deciding what he is supposed to do given the daunting circumstances he finds himself in.

At first, Joseph tries to change those circumstances by quietly dismissing Mary. Which actually gives Joseph permission to walk away. But then, God shows him a sign. One dream, one good night’s sleep and all of Joseph’s plans go out the window.

We know Joseph is part of a larger story. But he needed to be reminded. And sometimes, we do to. You and I and the people we serve are part of a larger story. We have our resolve. We make our plans. We believe we are determining our future. But then, God breaks in. God shows us a sign on a road or in a dream. God asks us to walk towards people and communities it would be easier to walk away from. Because the circumstances present challenges that seem impossible to overcome.

But then, we remember. With God, all things are possible. This is how we do ministry. This is how we walk by faith and not by sight. We resolve to keep trusting. We resolve to look for signs. This story, so close to the big story of Christmas, reminds me that with all the questions I have, all the ways in which I want to know what to do, what will happen, what is coming, I simply have to trust.

Isn’t that what Joseph resolves to do? His faith, his trust in God takes priority over his planning and determination. So how can we prompt our people to trust? How might you, my preaching friend, point to ways your community trusts God is working God’s purpose out through the work you’ve been given to do? What are your stories of upending careful and thoughtful plans because the dreams God had for you were bigger than what you imagined?

Everyone listening to your words has questions about their future. That’s ok. We pray our questions. We keep doing our work. We know that the joy of Christmas continues past a holiday, it’s the truth that God is always with us. We resolve to trust that good news.