Refelctions for Youth - Finding a New Way
So I have a confession to make. Over Christmas, I kind of got really - let’s say “involved” with a game app that’s on my phone.
It’s a game called "Dig It" and on every level, you have to move the sand around to get a ball to go into a cup. It's a maze. And, like a maze you would do on paper, in the first levels it’s not a big deal to go the wrong way. If you go the wrong way you can backtrack and try it again.
But as you get to the harder levels, if there are things that blow up and if you go the wrong way—Kablooie!
So, I spent way too much time on this game and got really frustrated. And then I discovered videos on YouTube that can show you the best way to get out of the maze. They show you how to do it—but you still have to execute it yourself.
So, I am telling you this because at some point in my late-night game playing I realized that it kind of has a connection to the story of Mary and Joseph.
In the Gospel of Matthew, we hear that Mary and Joseph—after the birth of Jesus—were kind of in a scary maze themselves.
We learn from the story of the Magi that King Herod is frightened by the birth of this new king and is looking for the baby. Mary and Joesph and baby Jesus are in Bethlehem and are not sure where to go. Maybe if they went the wrong way then it might just be—well—Kablooie!
But Joseph has a dream - and in his dream, an angel from God tells him to take Mary and the baby and flee to Egypt. So they went to be safe there and stayed until Herod died.
Joseph listened to God’s instructions from the angel and was led out of the maze to a place where Jesus could grow up safely. The good news of this story is the God was with them—and that God is with us. God sent Jesus to teach us all about loving God, and loving our neighbors - and things that will help us find our way through the crazy mazes.
The new year is upon us! What are some things that you can do in a new way?
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