Saturday, November 29, 2008

Sacred or Secular?

"And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me, it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you." Genesis 45:5

When Joseph was younger, his brothers secretly sold him into slavery. God then orchestrated Joseph's life in a way that brought him up out of bondage and into Pharaoh's house. Ultimately, Joseph became second in command over Egypt. The verse above is Joseph's account to his brothers of God's amazing plan for his life, despite the awful circumstances his brothers put him in.

Because Joseph was faithful to God during unimaginable times in his life, God was able to use him in amazing ways. Joseph's godly example influenced everyone from his own family to Egyptian slaves, prison inmates, royal servants, the King's guards, then Pharaoh himself and eventually the whole land of Egypt.

Most of us have faced those dark times when we feel our circumstances are unjust and undeserved. Yet, through it all, God remains faithful. And his purpose for our lives always comes through in the end.

We don't usually like to talk about the difficult times in our lives. But they happen. They happen in our lives and the lives of those around us. But God will use those circumstances to bring hope and help to others if we allow Him to. It sounds ironic, but it's true.

You may be facing at dark time right now. Whatever you do, don't sweep it under the rug. Instead, allow your story to bring encouragement to someone else who is facing a difficult situation as well. Talk to them about your faithfulness, even in the face of doubt. And show them how God led you and held you along the way!

There is some crazy stuff that comes at us in life. Whether it is secular or becomes sacred is up to you.

Do you care to share a situation that you thought was not of God but turned out to be a blessing?

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