Another year begins, and continues. As the seasons change outside, so do the seasons change in my church's calendar. Lent, the 40 days prior to Easter is upon us. A time of reflection, A time of penitence, renewal. Many people "give up" or deny themselves something during this time period. Others take something on. I'm not especially self disciplined. "life" gets in my way. I have good intentions. I long ago gave up the idea of "giving something up". In an effort to be positive, I am more in the mindset of taking something on. Like I said, I'm not especially good at following through, but I AM trying to be a little more consciously reflective. I was asked to write a response to some readings that are included in a Lenten Devotional daily reader published by my church. One of the readings was Genesis 37:12-24. Here's what came to me:
This reading from Genesis details the actions of Joseph’s brothers as they cast him into the desert and steal his Coat of Many Colors. As I reflected on the reading, I think of how it is not easy to understand the motivations of others. Joseph wandered out onto the desert searching for his brothers with utter trust. Unbeknownst to him, they were plotting to kill him in response to their envy. One brother’s mercy prevails, and although Joseph is exiled from his family by their treachery, his life is spared. Joseph’s father Jacob (Israel) is devastated at the loss of his beloved son.
We all are familiar with Joseph’s story, as he is sold into slavery, becomes respected by his captors, and rises to a position of great influence in Pharoah’s Egypt. He prophesizes a great famine in Egypt, and with forethought develops a plan to prevent mass starvation. In the end, he is reunited with his family. Many years later.
We don’t know what would have happened to Joseph if his brothers had not made him a victim of wrongdoing. Who knows if he would have achieved a position of leadership where he was able to influence so many events.
As I read this story during Lent, I think of Jesus’ path from humble birth in Bethlehem, childhood in Galilee, and his rise to influence as a great leader, his betrayal at the hands of Judas, and his ultimate violent death. Jesus lives on in each of us, in spite of the tragic events that affected Him.
These stories make me think of how when we are faced with difficulties in our own lives, we might fear the unknown outcomes and expect the worst. The stories make me realize that we don’t know the end of “our” story. We often can’t see the big picture as we are immersed in our own struggles and disappointments. Time takes time, and a lesson for me is to trust my God, and His hand in determining my story.
This reading from Genesis details the actions of Joseph’s brothers as they cast him into the desert and steal his Coat of Many Colors. As I reflected on the reading, I think of how it is not easy to understand the motivations of others. Joseph wandered out onto the desert searching for his brothers with utter trust. Unbeknownst to him, they were plotting to kill him in response to their envy. One brother’s mercy prevails, and although Joseph is exiled from his family by their treachery, his life is spared. Joseph’s father Jacob (Israel) is devastated at the loss of his beloved son.
We all are familiar with Joseph’s story, as he is sold into slavery, becomes respected by his captors, and rises to a position of great influence in Pharoah’s Egypt. He prophesizes a great famine in Egypt, and with forethought develops a plan to prevent mass starvation. In the end, he is reunited with his family. Many years later.
We don’t know what would have happened to Joseph if his brothers had not made him a victim of wrongdoing. Who knows if he would have achieved a position of leadership where he was able to influence so many events.
As I read this story during Lent, I think of Jesus’ path from humble birth in Bethlehem, childhood in Galilee, and his rise to influence as a great leader, his betrayal at the hands of Judas, and his ultimate violent death. Jesus lives on in each of us, in spite of the tragic events that affected Him.
These stories make me think of how when we are faced with difficulties in our own lives, we might fear the unknown outcomes and expect the worst. The stories make me realize that we don’t know the end of “our” story. We often can’t see the big picture as we are immersed in our own struggles and disappointments. Time takes time, and a lesson for me is to trust my God, and His hand in determining my story.