His timing is perfect...even when we're late
Well my Mister is away today, and for the first time I'm feeling a void. Usually, I can handle my independence just fine, but today it seemed like something was missing. Something was missing. It's funny how quickly you get used to having a second body with you, and it's amazing how much quieter things are when they're not around. Today was an odd day, a long day, and I'm ending the night with a much needed reminder of God's goodness.
Today's sermon was over Joseph. The pastor talked about how Joseph's brothers had a plan for his life, a plan full of harm, but how God had a plan for Joseph's life, too. A good plan. It's situations like those where I am so grateful that God's will supersedes man's. While Joseph's brothers were up to no good, God was just starting to work things out for his good. Their good, too. That's usually how things happen, you know. God's plans rarely match up with what we've imagined, but they're always better.
So here's the thing, Joseph's brothers had a serious case of jealousy towards him. He was the "favorite" child, so naturally, they felt justified in attempting to ruin his life. His brothers decided they would kill him, which was a pretty drastic move, but they seemed to think it was the right move to make. Now sure, Joseph had been a little brag-y and was probably pretty spoiled, but I certainly don't think that deserved a death sentence. Thankfully, one of the brothers, Rueben, was looking out for Joseph. Rather than voting for their poorly thought out decision, he suggested that they take a less violent route and throw Joseph into a dry well. They decided to listen to the voice of reason not realizing that Reuben was saving Joseph's life. He was planning on coming back to rescue Joseph at a later time and return him home. The brothers threw Joseph in the well, Rueben stepped out of the scene, and the next thing you know they've decided to sell little brother into slavery. Twenty pieces of silver later, they're a little richer and have one less problem.
"Some time later, Reuben returned to get Joseph out of the pit. When he discovered that Joseph was missing, he tore his clothes in anguish and frustration. Then he went back to his brothers and lamented, "The boy is gone! What can I do now?" ... Meanwhile, in Egypt, the traders sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.- Genesis 37:29-30 & 36
Too late, or so it seemed. He had a perfect plan set up to rescue his brother, and it failed. He had failed. He had no other options, no other plan. He didn't expect the story to take this kind of turn and he was devastated. He had lost total control of the situation, but God hadn't. Because while Reuben was unsure of what step he could take to save his brother, God was already working on it. God was taking care of Joseph. He was setting up the stage perfectly despite what seemed like the ultimate betrayal. I'm sure Joseph was scared out of his mind, not to mention heartbroken and devastated. But God was working things out on his behalf. God was in control even though it didn't quite seem like it at the time. God was going to take care of Joseph and even his unruly brothers in a way that no one would ever expect. And so Reuben, thinking he was late, was really on time. God's time. Because had he been on Reuben's time, the story would have been different. Joseph wouldn't have saved a nation and saved his family. In fact, no one might have. Just because we feel like we've lost control doesn't mean that God is not still in control. His timing is perfect...even when we are late.
So don't think you've missed the boat. Don't believe that it's too late. Your story will probably take a wild turn. Hang in there. It will end better than it began.
Today's sermon was over Joseph. The pastor talked about how Joseph's brothers had a plan for his life, a plan full of harm, but how God had a plan for Joseph's life, too. A good plan. It's situations like those where I am so grateful that God's will supersedes man's. While Joseph's brothers were up to no good, God was just starting to work things out for his good. Their good, too. That's usually how things happen, you know. God's plans rarely match up with what we've imagined, but they're always better.
So here's the thing, Joseph's brothers had a serious case of jealousy towards him. He was the "favorite" child, so naturally, they felt justified in attempting to ruin his life. His brothers decided they would kill him, which was a pretty drastic move, but they seemed to think it was the right move to make. Now sure, Joseph had been a little brag-y and was probably pretty spoiled, but I certainly don't think that deserved a death sentence. Thankfully, one of the brothers, Rueben, was looking out for Joseph. Rather than voting for their poorly thought out decision, he suggested that they take a less violent route and throw Joseph into a dry well. They decided to listen to the voice of reason not realizing that Reuben was saving Joseph's life. He was planning on coming back to rescue Joseph at a later time and return him home. The brothers threw Joseph in the well, Rueben stepped out of the scene, and the next thing you know they've decided to sell little brother into slavery. Twenty pieces of silver later, they're a little richer and have one less problem.
"Some time later, Reuben returned to get Joseph out of the pit. When he discovered that Joseph was missing, he tore his clothes in anguish and frustration. Then he went back to his brothers and lamented, "The boy is gone! What can I do now?" ... Meanwhile, in Egypt, the traders sold Joseph to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt.- Genesis 37:29-30 & 36
Too late, or so it seemed. He had a perfect plan set up to rescue his brother, and it failed. He had failed. He had no other options, no other plan. He didn't expect the story to take this kind of turn and he was devastated. He had lost total control of the situation, but God hadn't. Because while Reuben was unsure of what step he could take to save his brother, God was already working on it. God was taking care of Joseph. He was setting up the stage perfectly despite what seemed like the ultimate betrayal. I'm sure Joseph was scared out of his mind, not to mention heartbroken and devastated. But God was working things out on his behalf. God was in control even though it didn't quite seem like it at the time. God was going to take care of Joseph and even his unruly brothers in a way that no one would ever expect. And so Reuben, thinking he was late, was really on time. God's time. Because had he been on Reuben's time, the story would have been different. Joseph wouldn't have saved a nation and saved his family. In fact, no one might have. Just because we feel like we've lost control doesn't mean that God is not still in control. His timing is perfect...even when we are late.
So don't think you've missed the boat. Don't believe that it's too late. Your story will probably take a wild turn. Hang in there. It will end better than it began.
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