So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. — Isaiah 41:10
In my experience, a story always unfolds with a purpose and concludes with a promise. It certainly goes without saying (but I’ll do it anyway), that in life, a story always follows a process.
No, this is not a lesson in storytelling, but an assessment of our life’s tale. It’s how we take the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts to screenplay, if you will, to produce our personal tale of worry or our triumphant saga of purpose, process and promise.
How does your story unfold? And who are the cast of recurring characters allowed in those unfolding events?
Let’s peek a bit into Joseph’s story. From opening dream (Genesis 37:5) to its climatic fulfillment (Genesis 45:4-5), this favored son experienced sibling jealousy and hatred. This hatred led to a falsified death and enslavement coverup. Slave traders sold him to an Egyptian official, which eventually by the way, did not fare well with the official’s lustful, vindictive wife.
Fast forward to the Cliff Notes — one scorned woman’s lie gets Joseph thrown in jail. The zigzag years in the process could cause any reasonable person to worry about the future. You’d have to wonder, what went through Joseph’s mind? Did he doubt God? Did he question God’s intent? Don’t we all wonder when we’re going through tough times? We don’t see the sense in the purpose or God’s promise in the process. As a result, we tend to…
- agonize over what we can do to change the situation
- fret over self-defeated outcomes
- grieve for a better possibility
But what if the only theme gleamed from Joseph’s tale is his consistent focus to God’s promise? In the hardships, Joseph remained faithful to God. In the petty jealousies, false accusations, and absentminded cellmate promise breaking, Joseph managed to place his feelings and his focus in God’s hands. And where did it get him? Positioned in Egypt overseeing the life and safety of not only his family, but the future of the Israelites.
A tale of worry can position you for unfulfilled dreams and promises, but a story yet to unfold with God in the purpose and God leading you through the process? Now that’s a life destined to fulfill promises!
