Staying Teachable and Focused

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. Genesis 50:20 (New American Standard Bible)

Sometimes we experience difficulties in our life as a consequence for wrong choices we have made. At other times, we live under what seems to be the results of another person’s actions. Joseph knew the latter all too well. Hated by his brothers, sold into slavery, imprisoned due to a false accusation, forgotten by one who could have helped, and unfair separation from a father who loved him dearly. Many would have understood if he had chosen to embrace unforgiveness, bitterness, and anger. But that response would have put him into a prison of his own making that would have been more harmful and confining than any man made prison. Instead, Joseph’s life was seen by others as one whose God was with him.

Throughout his years of unfair and unjust treatment Joseph was a server of others and God continually blessed him for it. Even in the midst of trials. Even in the midst of wondering if there was a light at the end of the tunnel for him. Even when he could see no tangible manifestation of his dreams ever coming true. His was a journey of coming to points of surrender and trust. Rather than spend his life desiring to one day enact revenge on the ones who hurt him, he poised himself for the day he could demonstrate love and forgiveness.

This tells me Joseph walked through the issues of his life with a teachable spirit which gave him an ability to see God’s involvement in every circumstance he faced. Was it always easy? I doubt it. Would there have been tears, frustration, and questions? I am sure of it! But with each event Joseph had to come to the point of bending the knee and heart to what God had for him and where God placed him. It required him to fix his eyes on God rather than on what was happening to him and the people responsible for those things. It always came down to choice, trust, and surrender.

It is no different for each one of us. Whether we are wading through the issues of our own life or watching a loved one wade through the issues of their life, we are on a journey to the heart of God. Nothing is escaping His notice and nothing is unusable for His purposes. His ultimate desire is that we would really KNOW Him and then point others to Him. It will be the outcome of trusting Him, embracing truth, and keeping our focus on Him. With God’s help, it is both possible and productive.

Father, in the midst of it all, I trust You for myself as well as for my loved ones. Our lives are not limited to only that which we can experience with our five senses. May our spirit eyes be ever fixed on You! Amen.

Knees to the Earth - Watermark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-FJzjmTbTs

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.