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There are two characters in Ted Lasso who give us very different models of leadership. One is with Nate Shelley, also known as “Nate the Great”. Nate is a brilliant strategist who is trying to prove himself on the Richmond team’s coaching staff. One of his plays helps save the day when Richmond really needs it. As he’s interviewed after this win, he says “It’s not like I’m some kind of wonder kid”, leading the interviewer to respond “I think you mean wunderkind?”
Nate’s problem going forward is he cannot admit he made a mistake. He starts taking out his frustration on anyone who points it out. His inability to admit his mistakes almost costs Richmond the season as he not only sabotages himself, but drags down others with him.
The other model is from Ted Lasso himself. As he prepares the team for the end of the season he incorrectly uses the phrase “nip it in the bud.” His right hand man, Coach Beard, corrects him, saying “It’s ‘bud’, coach.” Ted stops to think and responds, “It is? Oh, cause of flowers, right?” Beard replies with a “Horticulture, baby!” leaving Ted to say, “That makes more sense. I appreciate that. Thank you.”
Ted, unlike Nate, is willing to listen and accept that he does not always know the right way on his own.
For the same reason we look to Joseph as a great example too. When it comes to the Holy Family, we often focus more on Mary, and rightly so. She is the one God chooses to bear Jesus into this world.
However, Joseph is important to the story too because of his Faith, because of his ability to look beyond himself, and because of his ability to listen.
Now when the Holy Spirit comes upon Mary so that she will bear a son, Joseph, logically, thinks that Mary cheated on him. In those days, this could have been a death sentence for Mary. Joseph, however, is a righteous man, and decides to elect for mercy. He will quietly divorce her so that she experiences no public shame and will leet both of them move on with their lives. That seems more than fair.
But God has something different in mind. Joseph is still needed. He’s still part of the story. He’s still necessary for helping raise the Baby Jesus in this world.
So it comes to pass that God sends an angel, a messenger, to Joseph. This angel, in Joseph’s dreams, tells him the plan. The angel tells Joseph what has happened. The angel asks Joseph not to be afraid to move forward in his life with Mary. Really, the angel is asking that Joseph remain with Mary and the coming child as part of God’s plan.
And Joseph listens. Joseph hears God’s message and takes it in. Joseph goes on to do God’s will and remain with Mary and Jesus to be the Holy Family.
Listening to God involves more than just hearing. It involves the willingness to change. It involves recognizing when our previous understanding has been wrong, or in Joseph’s case not quite full. It means being humble. It means following where we never expected to go.
To truly be prepared, we have to first listen. No matter how big or small our role is, we must be willing to hear God’s word in a way that allows us to change. That is what Joseph did. As we prepare to end our Advent time for the Season of the Nativity of our Lord, are we willing to do the same?