Today is my favorite kind of fall day. Overcast, cool breeze, and trees adorning the most vibrant fall colors you have ever seen. I'm also quite fond of the faint scent of bon fire you can smell when the breeze blows strong enough.
This season I have been blessed with a lot of time to think, meditate on, and be encouraged by the Lord and where I currently am in life.
I am leading a Community Group through the Single's Ministry at my church (www.fellowshipnwa.org) and could not be more encouraged each week. We have been walking through Joseph's story as told in Genesis. It has been a sweet time as we hash out hard topics, hear each other's hearts and truly seek the Lord in the scriptures while applying them to our own unique circumstances. My heart is full each Wednesday. The theme of reconciliation and restoration is prevalent in the story, and HUGE in our own lives EACH DAY.
This past Wednesday we walked through the part of the story when Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers after ALL OF THESE YEARS. For years they have lived with the idea that they have no idea where their younger brother ended up, and also have lived with the guilt of saddening Jacob's heart over losing his favorite son.
The sweetest part of this story, to me, is Joseph's reaction in forgiving. I don't think he diminished what his brother's did in selling him into slavery - BUT he saw God's purpose in it all was greater than the evil of his brothers. God used Joseph's sorrows to use him and his family and provide the conditions for his family to become a nation! God turned it for His glory. There was no loss.
I am so thankful for the message of reconciliation and restoration in this story. In fact, in this season, there is SO much to be thankful for.
Through the busy-ness this season brings, may we not hold on to trivial circumstances, but like Joseph, may we look past, and realize what it truly means to love those who persecute us...AS we love ourselves.
