There are biblical characters “in the shadows” whom God used significantly because of the way they responded to Him.

Is there something about Joseph’s life that made him God’s choice to take Mary as his wife? Wouldn’t you expect the man who raised Jesus to live a more prominent life?

During their engagement Mary announced that she was already pregnant with Jesus, a child that was not Joseph’s. In that culture it would have been expected that he would officially end the relationship.

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph on several occasions to tell him what to do: Marry Mary, leave the country when the baby’s life was threatened, and move to northern Israel when the threat was gone (Matthew 1-2). In each case he immediately obeyed God, making life-altering decisions without debate, shortcuts or excuses.

It is so common in our culture to ignore God’s instructions, especially when it affects how others see us or when it infringes on our lifestyles. When God convicts, do we respond with obedience?

God asks for obedience in small things.

I ran into a defensive lineman early one Monday morning in the team facility. When I asked why such an early arrival on a morning off, he replied, “I got into an argument with Coach on the sidelines yesterday. God convicted me that I needed to ask for his forgiveness.”

There would have been considerable excuses to shrug this one off: The coach was resistant to spiritual things, the conflict happened in the heat of the battle and we won the game. Let’s just all move on.

This athlete listened to God’s instructions. The coach initially blew off the lineman’s request for forgiveness, but the player persisted until the coach verbally forgave him. The coach who was resistant to spiritual things couldn’t miss the example of a man who was responsive to God.

It is your obedience, not your prominence, that makes you useable for God’s purposes.