"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
So for part of my bible study today I read the story of Joseph son of Jacob in Genesis. Joseph has favor from the Lord and all that he does is blessed, because of this his father gave him favor. His brothers being jealous, sold him as a slave to the Egyptians and then told his father that he was dead. (I'm really paraphrasing, so if I get something a little wrong forgive me, as I've said before this is my journey, you can read for yourself)
Although Joseph was a slave he ended up being in command of his masters household due to his "favor" from the Lord, until once again he was deceived. His masters wife lied and told the master that he had tried to sleep with her (although, it was the other way around), and so he was put in prison. In prison he again got favor and was made the wardens helper.
Long story put very short and in "Jaime's words" he ended up being advisor to Pharaoh in Egypt, one of the most respected places he could be. His father and brothers continued to live in Canaan. A great famine came over the land and was to last for 7 years. Joseph knew of this ahead of time because he had interpreted a dream of Pharaoh's. It was clear to him that this is why the Lord sent him ahead of his brothers so that when the time came when they were to meet again, he would be able to save his family through the great famine.
When he did meet his brothers again.........what do you think happened? Was he angry? Did he scold them? He had the power to have them killed or imprisoned.....but he did not do that. He wept and hugged them, and explained to them that it was not their will that enslaved him but it was the Lord's will that he be sent before them.
This weekend is Easter Sunday. Most know the story of Jesus' death and when he died on the cross, then arose from his death as he told his disciples he would. Its an interesting coincidence that while he was going through this, he said these words "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." or in "Jaime's words: They don't know what they are doing". Just as Joseph forgave his brothers knowing that they were acting in God's will and didn't know what they were doing.
Now, you may argue the brothers were acting in their own will and they knew exactly what they were doing, they were GETTING RID of their problem, the spoiled baby of the family. Yet, God had a much larger plan in place, and although Joseph suffered, he was spared as much as possible, and ultimately was always favored everywhere he went. Had it been someone else who's faith was not as strong, and did not have that favor they may not have been able to withstand all the hardship that would come over them the years before they would once again meet up with their brothers, and even if they did, would they have it in them to forgive?
I've said it before and I'm sure you have heard it before, we forgive for OURSELVES, not for the other person. Holding hatred, resentment, all those bad feelings inside us only eats away at US, often times the other person can live a completely favored life never even knowing we are still harboring that inside ourselves. In Joseph's case it could have easily been the brothers who needed to forgive THEMSELVES as we often need to do in our lives, if they didn't it would have little effect on Joseph's life and being favored by God. However, think of how many people we know that commit suicide due to unforgiveness, or go decades without speaking to a family member??? Some times the worst kind of unforgiveness is the kind we hold against ourselves.
Jesus knew he was going to die on that cross, he was spat on, and beaten, yet he still asked his/our Father in heaven to forgive them who were hurting him. Why was it so easy for him to do? Because he knew the Lords plan, and that all things happen according to his divine plan for each and every one of us.
Try telling that to someone who just lost a child, a husband, or a baby they were carrying. I've been there, and its not what you want to hear, it is beyond your capability of understanding because we are human, we are not perfect, we are not God, therefore we have all those feelings inside us bitterness, jealousy, hatred, guilt and even unforgiveness.
I know we've all had times like the ones mentioned above. I know we've all been mistreated in our lives by someone. We've probably all mistreated someone else. Do I dare say, we probably all have some unforgiveness inside us?
Ponder upon the story I mentioned above. Go to Genesis and read it if you have the time. Think about the bad times in your life, maybe your going through them now, and if you can at all, ALLOW yourself to forgive either someone else or yourself, and believe in the fact that "we know not what we do" and that all things happen according to God's will. Sometimes we find out tomorrow, sometimes in a year, and some we are still waiting on, but if we keep our faith we can rest assured that the time will come when we will understand, we will forgive, and we can prevail through those times of misery.
I hope that I've made sense. If you've stuck with me long enough to read this whole thing, and you are one of those who has just lost a loved one (like so many of my friends, family & acquaintances have recently) please don't take this the wrong way, your right to mourn in your right, and God understands and acknowledges that. I pray that for a brief moment, your pain is lifted, and God allows you to see his divine plan for you and your loved ones, so that your grief may be shortened, you may begin to heal, and you will believe that you will see your loved one again.
So I'm going to think about forgiveness today, and the fact that the people who have hurt me are no different than the people who hurt Jesus and as he said "Forgive them father, for they know not what they do."
Happy Easter Everyone!
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