14TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

It was really for the sake of saving lives that God sent me here ahead of you. 

The movie Forrest Gump tells the story of a man who seems to drift through life from one circumstance to another. He was present for many pivotal moments in the twentieth century, like the Vietnam War and Civil Rights protests. But Forrest floated through these events, only partially aware of what was going on around him. His life is summed up by the image from the movie’s final scene: a feather drifting upwards and away.

Joseph might seem a little like Forrest Gump—his life changed in dramatic ways as he witnessed the world around him transform during a time of global upheaval. But the difference is that Joseph saw God’s hand at work in these changes, and he took every chance he could to cooperate with God. He maintained his faith even after his brothers threw him down a well and sold him into slavery. He held on to his integrity when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. He humbly pointed to God when interpreting dreams for Pharaoh. In the end, he recognized that God made him chancellor of Egypt to help his family and to prevent his people from starving to death.

It’s easy to feel like Forrest, subject to the whims of circumstance. But if you take Joseph’s view, you’ll trust that God is with you no matter what happens to you or around you. He can use every situation to bring about his plans—even tragedy, failure, and sin. And like Joseph, you can participate with him by seeing every day as an opportunity. You can cooperate with him and honor him wherever you are right now.

So when something unexpected happens, choose to imitate Joseph. In the midst of your own challenges and the challenges around you, know that God is with you. But don’t stop there. Act on that knowledge. Believe that he is opening a path for you to serve him. God will always give you opportunities to participate with him in building his kingdom.

“Lord, I trust that you can work in any circumstance. I want to cooperate with you and build your kingdom.”

Psalm 105:16-21
Matthew 10:7-15
Genesis 44:18-21, 23-29; 45:1-5

WORD AMONG US