"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." Genesis 50:20-21a
Joseph was being obedient when he went out to the field on that doomful day. His father had instructed him to go and find his brothers who were tending the flocks. Even during his obedience, an evil plot was being stirred against him, to destroy his life and his family. (Genesis 37)
But... God. Did you know we can have horribly unjust circumstances happen, even in the midst of obedience? We must remember: God doesn't waste anything.
I wonder what conversations Joseph must have had with God, as he was being sold into a caravan of foreigners by his brothers, after he had simply obeyed his father's command. Like me, I'm sure you've had some of those same conversations. Recently, mine have gone something like this: "Are you kidding me??! Reunification?!".
They say the first rule of walking a tight rope is not to look down. Looking down strikes such fear and anxiety into a human heart that it can no longer focus on the goal - making it across the expanse without falling to the death. But, if you're like me, it's too late! You've already looked down. You've memorized every crevice of the ravine, the speed of the waterfall. You've started a panicky stream of thoughts about what could happen. So what do we do now, as we're teetering around, trying not to plunge to our deaths?
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
My friend, let's fix our eyes back on Jesus. He is our Rock, our Fortress - our safe tower of refuge in which we can run in to and be saved. Jesus told us that in this world, we will have troubles. But take heart, for He has OVERCOME the world. Let's persevere through the difficult behaviors, loss, bad social workers, agencies or judges, all of the not-knowing and the 'what ifs?'. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Let's trust in him together. Lift your eyes up. Focus and don't waver. Remember Joseph this week. In time, He saw that all of his hardship, even during obedience, was for one purpose: to save lives.
Dear Jesus,
We thank you that you really do not waste any trial or loss in our lives. We declare that, in all things, you are working beyond what we can see, and you are in control. We thank you that you WILL work out all things for our good, as we seek to do your work. We ask you to help us fix our eyes on you, through the power of your Holy Spirit. Please help us to be still and KNOW that you are God. Thank you that you already bore our burdens - these heavy burdens we carry for our children, when you were on the cross. You went before us and walked a shameful and scary road, so that we can walk in peace and trust in how deep your love is for us, and for our foster children. Please strengthen us today and give us perseverance and victory.
In your precious name,
Amen
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