When I was a child, people commented on my height until I felt mildly freakish about it. I envied my tiny, cute-as-a-button friends who seemed to get away with everything because they looked younger and more cherubic. It took a while to realize that from their point of view, I had the advantage. Never happy, are we? Somehow each of us feels our burden to bear is a little heavier and harder than other people's burdens.
Take Joseph son of Jacob, for instance. He began his life as the envy of his ten older brothers who watched their father openly dote on the family baby. Their hatred for Joseph grew until they wanted to kill him. Joseph knew his father only favored him because he was Rachel's child and not because of his personal merits or accomplishments. He probably plucked up his proud feathers to hide the loneliness and fear he felt around his ten older, angry brothers.
Unfairness offers us the opportunity to trust God has a plan for what He allows into our lives. Joseph struggled years later to state truth to his brothers as they bowed before him, trembling in fear of his retaliation. He chose to forgive and free them with these gracious words:
"You intended to harm me,
but God intended it for good
to accomplish what is now being done,
the saving of many lives."
Genesis 50:20
Lord, You only allow us to experience what will drive us to You. You can use anything for our good. We don't appreciate the trials You weave into our paths until we look back and see how You use them. May Your Truth lighten burdens we carry when we don't see them as blessings
In the name of Jesus, treated unjustly for "the saving of many lives."
No comments:
Post a Comment