Devotionals
I wish I was the kind of grace channeller he was. Like most people, I’d rather get it than give it. It’s easier.
He had big dreams and didn’t mind sharing them with his family. Dreams of ruling over them. His father pondered the dreams but his brothers hated him and disposed of him at their earliest convenience.
I’m sure he wondered what God was up to, especially after his brothers sold him to Ishmaelites who sold him into slavery. Good fortune led to a promotion over his master’s estate but a scorned woman put him in prison.
After a couple years in the slammer, he’s released to interpret the ruler’s dreams-a successful adventure resulting in advancement to ruler over the land. In his new position, he could have repaid his previous master’s wife for her false accusations or even his master for wrongly putting him in prison.
And he could have taken revenge against his brothers when they appeared before him wanting food because famine was ravaging their homeland. But he chose to dole out grace on all occasions when he could have distributed retribution. His brothers heard it: 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 NIV).
Somewhere along the line, Joseph realized his troubles were part of God’s grace plan to save his family. And since he had received it, he chose to channel it.
I’m not sure I would have done as well. I’ve been known to withhold forgiveness unless I thought it was deserved. I’ve given in to quite a few temptations and planned imaginary ways I could reimburse those who’ve hurt me.
But I’m getting better at practicing grace channeling. I’m learning to empathize with other’s situations, realizing if not for God’s grace I might be where they are acting as they do. And more amazing, I understand God uses these episodes to accomplish good, whether I see it or not.
Let God teach you to see the strands of your life as interconnected opportunities to channel grace.
Prayer: God of mercy, may we relish Your grace so we can channel it to others. www.lovelinesfromgod.com
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