Each week, let’s reflect upon Sunday’s teaching through further exploration…
“Blurred Vision” (Dreams in the Dark Sermon series)
“How would you describe your family?”
I asked my Interpersonal Communication students that question each semester when we studied about family communication. Nine out of 10 times I would receive the same answer: dysfunctional. When probing further, I would hear different stories and examples from the students, but they continuously traced back to the same themes: neglect, favoritism, anger, jealousy… the familiar themes we see in Joseph’s story as well.
We only need to read the first 11 verses of Genesis 37 to see all four of those areas of dysfunction in Joseph’s family. Perhaps that’s why this Hebrew’s story is so endearing to us – not because of the eventual heights to which he rose but because of the messed-up, rocky, pit-laden path he traversed.
Joseph’s story is in his journey – the dysfunction, the pit, the betrayal, and the rejection. It’s through those that God is glorified. And the same can be true for us… but like Joseph, we must choose to trust God’s plan instead of our pain.
Bob Russell, founding pastor of Southeast Christian Church and author of this month’s book resource Acts of God: Why Does God Allow So Much Pain?, points out that people react differently to pain. He poses this question: “Will we redouble our courage and build a life of hope, or will we become embittered victims?” (pg. 71). If we’re familiar with Joseph’s story, then we know which of those paths Joseph chose, and we’ll continue to explore that as Jonathan leads us through the rest of Joseph’s story in Genesis.
So the question is, which of those paths will we choose?
I’ve been wrestling with that question myself as I’ve been listening to Jonathan’s sermon, reading Russell’s book Acts of God, and studying “The Life of Joseph” on RightNow Media. My wrestling has yielded a discouraging truth – more often than not, I’ve wallowed in the weakness of my pain and bitterness rather than soaking up the strength of God’s plan and purpose. And wallowing has led me to believe that God made a mistake with me, that I’m too damaged for Him to use in any worthwhile manner. Satan knows worth and value are particular vulnerabilities of mine, and he even uses other people to pick at those wounds regularly. So I slump once again into my pit of despair.
However, when I heard Jonathan tell us, “Dysfunction is not disqualification,” I was forced to lift my head, look up, and ask a sobering question. “What if the very things I view as nullifying the work I can do for the Lord are what He’ll redeem to use as strengthening and preparing for the path ahead… the pain, the heartache, the trail of wreckage caused by my selfish decisions?”
I’m not implying that God wants us to go through pain and heartache or that He condones selfish decisions. God loves us. He has compassion for our brokenness. And when we sin, He not only provides the way for forgiveness and restoration – through the sacrificial blood of His Son, Jesus Christ – He works through our ugly and dysfunctional parts to discipline us, draw us closer to Him, and mature us.
Whatever pain and dysfunction you’re dealing with right now, whatever pit you’ve been thrust into, I challenge you to look up, to set your eyes and mind on God Almighty, and trust in His perfect timing and plan. I also urge you to partner with a trusted brother or sister in Christ, encouraging one another to choose the path of hope rather than the ruts of bitterness.