Grace that redeems

"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

What is it like being plotted against? What is it like to have your life openly placed in the hands of those who intend to harm you? What is it like to be erased and lose a sense of belonging? What purpose lies within betrayal?

If you have read Genesis, you know that Joseph lived this reality. He may have been an obnoxious, arrogant punk with a cooler coat than everyone else. But to be sold out of his family completely? That's incredibly harsh. Yet, all things worked together for good. God showed Joseph incredible favor. As quoted from Genesis 39:3 "...the Lord caused all that he did to succeed."

"And we know that for those who love God ALL THINGS work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Even though his life was turned upside down, Joseph became the overseer of his Egyptian master's entire household. Yet, his life was put into the hands of another predator: his master's unfaithful wife. Despite her efforts to seduce him, he remained steadfast to what was pure. Because he would not fall, this woman gave a false account of their encounter and Joseph was thrown into prison. He was struck and removed from yet another family. But again, all things worked together for good. Joseph found favor with his prison keeper. His keeper put him in charge of the rest of the prisoners. Joseph's gift of prophesy eventually reached Pharaoh. He was asked to interpret a dream of Pharaoh's. Through this act, Pharaoh saw the power of God in Joseph and appointed him authority over Egypt during their seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. God, again, caused all he did to succeed.

Despite the famine and having been at the mercy of so much turmoil, I'm sure Joseph had to have finally felt free, rectified, and full of gratitude. But low and behold, Joseph's brothers unexpectedly came before him desperate for the harvest he stored up. Only they did not recognize Joseph. That vision of his brothers bowing to him, that vision that cost Joseph his home, was fulfilled in a moment. Joseph could have unleashed 20+ years of wrath upon the ones that sold him out of their lives. Or he could have completely avoided his brothers and appointed someone else to deal with them.

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Abraham Lincoln

Instead of engaging in either of those extremes, Joseph chose what was wise. He chose to test the character of his brothers but, in turn, Joseph's character was also put to the test. Reading this story you repeatedly see that Joseph wept. And wept. And wept. All that pain came back to the surface in huge, tearful waves. His heart was tender and vulnerable. What was dead came alive. It all worked together for good. God gave Joseph the grace to invite those in that cast him out.

"Look, I've written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you're building are never out of my sight. Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good." Isaiah 49:15-17 (The Message)

I think I'm safe to say there are very few of us that enjoy coexisting with conflict in relationships. When I see it, the flight instinct kicks in. But when I run from it, I don't learn from it. My fear supersedes what God wants to accomplish.

But I've realized that conflict isn't intrinsic to our relationships. It is intrinsic to the nature of the fallen world we live in because we didn't choose God in the beginning. But with Jesus' redeeming sacrifice, there is validation in the fact that conflicts are a normal part of relationships, even healthy ones, if they are handled with wisdom. And where conflict exists, growth awaits. Whether the people in our lives have malicious intent or not, we must not misinterpret the purpose discomfort and conviction is meant to bring to our lives.

Joseph was not put into comfortable situations with those closest to him. Far from it! But God taught him in the uncomfortable. All those years were necessary for God to stir in Joseph's heart. All those years were necessary for God to stir in his brother's hearts. Because both parties submitted to testing and transformation, God beautifully showcased His healing work. God redeemed all that was meant to destroy to ultimately bring Himself glory. He took something shameful and made it good, as only He can. What a powerful God we follow!

My final questions are: Do we learn if we aren't challenged? Are our gifts nurtured and matured if they are not put to the test? Do we learn if we don't take the risk of being wrong?

"The trouble with steeling yourself against the harshness of reality is that, the same steel that secures your life against being destroyed, secures your life also against being opened up and transformed." Frederick Buechner

In the Word, Peter tells us not to be surprised by struggle. We must expect to be met with it, but never overcome by it. We are told to consider it pure joy because transformation follows. We must dare to stand back up, lift our heads heavenward, and proceed with humbled, vulnerable hearts because we have been given the greatest hope! Hope to be part of a transfiguring work that our struggles can never disqualify us from.

Copyright 2018 ->Renee Sunberg