As I have studied leadership, I have become increasingly convinced of the importance of living values that you hold close.
Those that have integrity in living their values immediately gain my respect. When an individual lives values that I strive to live by myself, this individual now has the potential to influence me.
This Christmas season I reflect on one individual that I deeply respect and who is influencing me. His name is Joseph. Joseph husband to Mary and stepfather to Jesus Christ.
Despite little being written about Joseph there are a few things that have resonated with me about the man he was.
Joseph lived in Nazareth where he was engaged to Mary. For everyone to be taxed and to be counted (think census in the US) they needed to return to the city of their ancestors. For Joseph this was Bethlehem. Taking Mary, his pregnant wife, on a journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was not trivial. This required a great deal of sacrifice and persistence. Joseph was a just man (Matt 1:19), he did what needed to be done to honor the law. Grit, dedication, integrity, and desire to do what is right are a few of the characteristics demonstrated I admire in Joseph.
In that day, the law was such that if a woman was not faithful to her espoused husband, the husband had a right to divorce her before the marriage ceremony and make it public so all would know of the behavior of the woman. Joseph loved and cared for Mary deeply. Before knowing the truth of Mary’s situation, Joseph wanted to find a way to divorce her in private to avoid her being humiliated. While considering how to approach the situation, Joseph was visited by an angel in a dream in which he learned the truth. Mary had not been unfaithful but carried the Son of God in her womb. (Matt 1:20-24) What a relief this must have been! Joseph now had a witness for himself of the divinity of the Savior of the world and took Mary to wife. Joseph was a just man who showed love, care, and compassion to Mary.
Joseph acted in accordance to values I consider important to being a good husband.
As I ponder the miraculous birth and life of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, I’m grateful for the life Joseph led to help prepare the way. I hope I can be a better man and a better husband because of his example.
I invite you to go to your source of inspiration and ask yourself a few questions.
- Who are the individuals that most influence me?
- What are the behaviors they exhibit that demonstrate the values that resonate with me?
As you consider these questions sincerely, I can promise you that you will gain more insight and motivation to live the life you want to live and become the person you want to become.
