Journey to Jesus
Peace in the Journey

Many believe saying “yes” to God makes life easier—but often the opposite is true.

When we step into God’s calling, the enemy often brings challenges, obstacles, and spiritual resistance.

Question for today: How can we have peace when we say “yes” to God, knowing challenges will follow?

Mary and Joseph show us peace doesn’t come from perfect circumstances but from a perfect Savior.

 1. Mary and Joseph’s Journey Began With a YES… but That YES Cost Them Something.

• Matthew 1:18-19 (ESV) Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
• Luke 2:7 (ESV) And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Saying yes to God often makes your life look WORSE before it looks better. The “yes” puts you on the path to peace—but the path is not always smooth.

God was working not to make the situation easier but to mold and shape us in preparation for this ministry.

SOUL TATTOO:  Peace isn’t found in perfect conditions—it’s found in a perfect Savior.

God asks us to say yes before we know the details so that we are unable to rely on our strength but rather trust in Him to guide us.

WHY GOD CALLS US BEFORE HE EXPLAINS EVERYTHING

• Matthew 6:11 (ESV) “Give us this day our daily bread …”
• Matthew 6:34 (ESV) “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
• Psalm 37:23 (ESV) The steps of a man are established by the Lord , when he delights in his way …
• Mary and Joseph lacked comfort, convenience, clarity, control—but had God’s presence, promise, guidance, provision.

God was working through every inconvenience to position the promise.

• Micah 5:2 (ESV) But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

2. Mary’s Process Teaches Us How to Walk in Peace

• Luke 1:29 (ESV) But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
• Luke 1:34 (ESV) And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”
• Luke 1:35 (ESV) And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God.”

Mary reflects deeply, then submits fully.

• Luke 1:38 (ESV) And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary models a posture of spiritual attentiveness.

• Luke 2:19 (ESV) “Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

Mary Teaches Us:
• Pause, not rush.
• Reflect instead of react.

3. God Uses the Mess to Prepare Us for the Mission

• Luke 1:37 (ESV) “For nothing will be impossible with God.”
• Matthew 7:14 (ESV) “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
• Matthew 16:24 (ESV) Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• How has God shown that He is with me providing peace in the mess?
• How has He proven that my obstacles are not the end?
• Has He shown me before that He finishes what He starts?

CALL TO ACTION — SAY YES

• Say yes to surrender.
• Say yes to trust.
• Say yes to the next step.
• Say yes to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

 Will I say yes?

 SOUL TATTOO:  Peace isn’t found in perfect conditions—it’s found in a perfect Savior.