This past weekend, Matt Rose, Greg Caplan, and I took the Park Hill junior high and high school boys camping in Glenwood (by the way, I camp like a blind man shoots a gun…very poorly). But honestly, it was wonderful. I learned a lot about camping, paintballing, and a ton about my kids…and from my kids.
We studied about the life of Joseph in Genesis 37 through 47. It was wonderful that I had the opportunity to write and teach the stuff to the boys because I learned so much myself - and so much of what I learned was directly applicable to own my life. Mostly this: Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. Yet even then, despite a couple of hiccups (like being thrown into jail for a false accusation of rape), you see one thing over and over in the scripture: “But the Lord was with Joseph.” And so he was. This truth is so clear because out of every instance of seemingly bad fortune, Joseph’s life is constantly guided by God out of pain and into blessing. Yet even still, for Joseph, he isn’t complete…not until he resolved issues with his family. And suddenly, the darkness of his past (which he had all but forgotten) was right back in his face. The frustration of hateful older brothers, the insecurity that stems from a nepotistic father, and one whopper of a pride issue no doubt contributed to an ever-present to remain the man that God has grown him to be. And that is where I relate.
I understand well that God intends any hardship and struggle in my life to be an opportunity for present growth and future blessing and resolution. What is hard is when the season of growth is over, and you return to roost…you go back to where those emotions of despair dominated your soul…you return to when pain was your best friend…back to where temptation was five seconds long - and sin was longer. And it’s here where I am faced with the same decision with which Joseph was faced - will I regress and be the man I was? Or will I escape my past and become the man God has grown me to be?
Funny - knowledge cannot be equated with growth…not until you add action.
SRay
