Divine Interruptions

Often, our desires and dreams are interrupted by God. It’s not that our dreams are wrong; we may not see the full picture or understand the divine purpose for our lives.

We see this with Joseph and Mary, and the birth of God’s Son, Jesus. God interrupted their plans for marriage to bring about humanity’s greatest gift and blessing. They had a plan, but God had a purpose.

Proverbs says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Prov. 16:9 NKJV

God, who knows our lives from beginning to end, is working to guide us into the fullness of His purpose for us. We can make plans, but it is the Lord who leads and directs us on the right path. Plan for your future, but recognize that God might lead you in ways you cannot currently see or comprehend. His ways are beyond ours!

Trusting God through life’s interruptions and changes is essential to stay in His peace and joy. Otherwise, worry and fear take over, rather than allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.

As we love and trust God wholeheartedly, His prophetic purpose unfolds in our lives—and it often unfolds in ways we didn’t plan. Change is inevitable in life, but trust is optional!

The Birth of Christ

In Luke’s gospel, we read:

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”

38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-38 NLT

Matthew writes:

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet: 23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus. Matt. 1:18-25 NLT

Imagine young Joseph. As the wedding day approaches, Joseph is getting ready. Picture Mary, the day every young girl looks forward to, is about to arrive. Mary is excited as she and her parents make plans for the wedding. She and Joseph have such dreams for their life together.

God changes their plans!

A divine interruption happens, and their lives are forever changed. It was never their dream for Mary to become pregnant before their wedding night. And certainly, the idea of her becoming pregnant miraculously and giving birth to Jesus, the Son of God, was not something they expected.

Mary’s reaction to the news was one of confusion. She asks the angel, “But how can this happen? I’m a virgin.” Luke 1:34 NLT

Joseph’s reaction was a bit different. He has a decision to make. Should he believe that Mary has been faithful and that she miraculously became pregnant with the Son of God? Or should he decide to break off the engagement?

In Joseph and Mary’s time, Jewish marriage customs involved a period of betrothal or engagement, which was almost as binding as marriage itself. A betrothed couple was considered as good as married, and ending the relationship was viewed as divorce, even though they were not yet married.

When God divinely interrupts our lives and plans, we face a choice—to trust His miraculous intervention or to doubt His supernatural ways.

In Joseph’s case, God intervenes in his questioning by sending an angel in a dream to comfort him and assure him of Mary’s innocence. As a result, they get married, she gives birth to the Messiah, and the rest is history.

Joseph played a crucial role in the birth of Christ, but it’s easy to overlook him. However, he was chosen by God, just like Mary, for a prophetic purpose. Joseph’s actions demonstrated that he not only loved Mary but also genuinely loved God. He was willing to endure humiliation to protect Mary from shame.

A few years ago, my wife and I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. We noticed that medieval European art mainly focused on the Christian faith, especially on the birth and death of Christ. Most paintings and sculptures from that period depict the birth of Christ, featuring only Mary and baby Jesus—not Joseph. From this art, one might conclude that Joseph’s role in the first coming of God’s Son was not very prominent.

Someone once asked Leonard Bernstein, the renowned conductor of the New York Philharmonic, which instrument was the hardest to play. His quick answer was, “The second fiddle.” The term “second fiddle” describes something that takes a supporting role to something more prominent or leading. Joseph supported Mary, but his role was vital to God’s greater plan.

Joseph loved Mary deeply because his love for God was his top priority. Do you think Mary ever doubted Joseph’s love for her? Maybe there wasn’t a day she didn’t remember the pain and shame Joseph endured as the village gossipers speculated about the child inside her. Joseph did more than just feel or talk about love; he showed his love for God and Mary by standing by her.

Joseph proved his love for both by obeying what God revealed—despite plans changing. He had learned to trust and obey God. Our love for God is shown through our obedience to Him. We all desire to prosper and live purpose-filled lives.

But how many of us are willing to obey God even when it costs us something or if we have a less visible role? Or when God changes our plans, and it goes beyond what we know or understand? How committed are we to Jesus and His Church?

I once read about Ruth Bell, a teenager who left her home in China to study in Korea, with plans to spend her life as an unmarried missionary to Tibet. Apparently, the idea of a husband had crossed her mind, but her list of qualifications would disqualify most men.

She wrote in her diary:

If I marry, he must be so tall that when he is on his knees, he reaches all the way to heaven. His shoulders must be broad enough to bear the burdens of a family. His lips strong enough to smile, firm enough to say no, and tender enough to kiss. His love must be so deep it takes its stand in Christ and so wide it takes the whole world in. He must be active enough to save souls. He must be big enough to be gentle and brave enough to be thoughtful. His arms must be strong enough to carry a little child.

Later, Ruth Bell would meet Billy Graham, and they would marry. God changed Ruth’s plan, despite her strict criteria for a perfect Godly husband! Billy Graham was a great man, but like any of us, he wasn’t perfect. Ruth had a plan, but God had a purpose. Our hearts plan our way, but the Lord directs our steps.

Mary may or may not have made a list of what she was looking for in a husband, but God knew who Mary needed, and that man was Joseph. Joseph’s love for God fostered a deep love for Mary, God’s chosen girl. Together, they faced change and endured gossip and persecution. History was forever changed!

To fulfill God’s prophetic purposes in your life, remember that God is with you just as much as He is with anyone.

No one likes feeling rejected, abandoned, or secondary. Although we might imagine Joseph feeling this way, there’s no evidence of him complaining. Instead, we see a patient servant willing to make sacrifices, even to the point of moving to Egypt.

God chose Joseph to be an earthly father for Jesus, to be the father who would shape His life. Joseph kept God first in his life, and God faithfully guided him through his journey—through all the ups and downs of life. Joseph knew as a fact that God will never forsake us (Heb. 13:5).

God is with us, not because we are good or have great faith; He is with us because He has irrevocably committed Himself to us. If God were only with us when we succeeded, success would never come!

You are valuable to God, and He has placed His Spirit inside you. God is empowering you to accomplish His vision and purpose for your life. You are never alone or abandoned with God—He will never leave you or forsake you. Don’t let “orphan thinking” block your prophetic destiny.

God is on your side, and He is guiding your steps for His purpose. Even though plans may change, God remains faithful and will fulfill His promise and purpose.

One remarkable aspect of Christ’s birth is the number of prophecies that were fulfilled. Hundreds of years earlier, these prophecies described the coming of Jesus. They were very specific. Yet, the prophecies did not foretell the names of Mary and Joseph! 

Did Joseph and Mary have a choice? Yes, because God grants each of us free will. Either of them could have sabotaged God’s plan, but neither did. God changed their plans, yet they loved the Lord more than their own plans.

How many of you are doing what you planned after graduating high school?

Most of my early plans are completely different from what actually happened in my life. Some plans changed because I adjusted my decisions and desires, but even then, did I truly change or just come into alignment with God? Some plans shifted due to circumstances beyond my control—God! God is always loving and always good, but not always predictable.

God has a plan for your life. Sometimes, it’s during the transition and the uncertainty of the moment that God’s purposes start to unfold and become clear.

Some of my greatest successes have come during transitions and periods of uncertainty with God. God extends His hand and offers something greater; I might not understand it at first. God never promises that life will be free of trials—He promises that He will always be with you.

In the book of Nahum, the prophet declares, “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.” Nah. 1:7 NKJV

If you doubt God’s goodness during tough times, you’ll fall into negativity. You might lose hope for a bright future; worse, you could walk away from Jesus.

Learning how to wait on God—even when situations are overwhelming, and answers are delayed—is key to living a victorious Christian life. Believing that God is good through all of life’s circumstances is essential for walking in peace and security with complete trust and patience as you wait. Trusting God during uncertain times is a hallmark of Christian maturity.

Mary chose Joseph according to God’s will. Perhaps her own choice might have been someone else. Had she married a different man, the likelihood is slim that God would have chosen her to bear His son. Mary could have had a happy marriage with another man, but never fully experienced the purpose of her destiny.

Joseph chose to obey and trust God concerning Mary, despite the potential ridicule and shame from others. Truly, obedience is better than sacrifice.

When the angel appeared to Joseph, the world looked grim, but God had a plan and would always remember His faithful servant and His people.

When making life’s decisions, God’s hand silently influences behind the scenes. If we pursue Him wholeheartedly, He grants us wisdom in our choices.

Wherever you are today, be encouraged; God’s purposes are unfolding in your life. Change happens for many reasons, and sometimes it’s the hand of God—trust Him!

2026 is full of promise! A new year is beginning—let faith and hope encourage you! Allow closure where necessary and welcome change to move forward in God’s purpose for your life! God has committed Himself to you through Christ!