by The Rev. Barbara Dyke
How often do our lives seem like Joseph’s? In our lives we have terrifying storms that arise and life seems to be out of control. In our lives today we may not be sold into slavery, but we suffer illness. We experience the loss of a job, status, or relationships. We are affected by the aches and pains of aging. Sometime dealing with children growing up and leaving home all give us a sense that things are out of control. We are constantly being reminded that life is bigger than we are. It is filled with events that we cannot control. They seem to wash over us like giant waves in unforeseen ways. When we are in those moments we are not able to see the end of the story. It is hard to sometimes see how these hardships will lead to any thing good in our lives.
The one thing Joseph knew was that he had to keep his eyes upon God and put his trust in the Lord. Joseph had years of storms before he became a ruler of Egypt. But he trusted that God was with him when he faced the storms of slavery, and imprisonment. Joseph always seemed to make the best of the situation he was in.
When we walk with God we hear over and over the words “do not be afraid.” These 3 little words that mean more than rest easy or peace be with you. Those words imply something like to take heart, have courage, be open and willing to receive what is coming, get ready for a new thing that God is about to do in your life. The words do not be afraid are an invitation to welcome the new future that goes with it. It is not always easy.
It is easier to stick with the routine that we know. It is easier to complain than to try something new. It is easier to live with known disappointments than to venture out to explore unknown possibilities.
How often do we try to step out in faith like Peter and when the going gets too tough we give up? How many times have you let those short lived efforts that ended in failure keep us from ever trying to do something new again? When Joseph was sold into slavery he was 17 years old. Joseph lived the life of slavery and imprisonment for the next 13 years before he ever get close to being a ruler of Egypt. My friends, that is perseverance. Have we ever had that kind of perseverance in serving the Lord? Do we try for a few days, a few weeks, a few months and get frustrated and quit. Jesus calls us to do what we do not think is even possible. Jesus calls us to climb out of the boat and follow him.
Let us remember that in Christ all things are possible. Let us hear Christ call us to come and step out in faith to do things that today seem impossible. Let us remember that the path Christ calls us to follow will not be easy, but if we keep our eyes upon Jesus we will see miracles happen. Joseph knew God was with him even in the darkest days. Some of us are like Peter and need to be reminded that God is with us. Let us remember Christ’s words, do not be afraid. Let us be open to what Christ is calling us to do with the full assurance that we are not alone, God is with us. Thanks be to God. Amen.
The one thing Joseph knew was that he had to keep his eyes upon God and put his trust in the Lord. Joseph had years of storms before he became a ruler of Egypt. But he trusted that God was with him when he faced the storms of slavery, and imprisonment. Joseph always seemed to make the best of the situation he was in.
When we walk with God we hear over and over the words “do not be afraid.” These 3 little words that mean more than rest easy or peace be with you. Those words imply something like to take heart, have courage, be open and willing to receive what is coming, get ready for a new thing that God is about to do in your life. The words do not be afraid are an invitation to welcome the new future that goes with it. It is not always easy.
It is easier to stick with the routine that we know. It is easier to complain than to try something new. It is easier to live with known disappointments than to venture out to explore unknown possibilities.
How often do we try to step out in faith like Peter and when the going gets too tough we give up? How many times have you let those short lived efforts that ended in failure keep us from ever trying to do something new again? When Joseph was sold into slavery he was 17 years old. Joseph lived the life of slavery and imprisonment for the next 13 years before he ever get close to being a ruler of Egypt. My friends, that is perseverance. Have we ever had that kind of perseverance in serving the Lord? Do we try for a few days, a few weeks, a few months and get frustrated and quit. Jesus calls us to do what we do not think is even possible. Jesus calls us to climb out of the boat and follow him.
Let us remember that in Christ all things are possible. Let us hear Christ call us to come and step out in faith to do things that today seem impossible. Let us remember that the path Christ calls us to follow will not be easy, but if we keep our eyes upon Jesus we will see miracles happen. Joseph knew God was with him even in the darkest days. Some of us are like Peter and need to be reminded that God is with us. Let us remember Christ’s words, do not be afraid. Let us be open to what Christ is calling us to do with the full assurance that we are not alone, God is with us. Thanks be to God. Amen.
The Rev. Barbara Dyke is part of Ecumenical Relations with the American Orthodox Catholic Church and is a pastor in the United Methodist Church. She and her spouse live in San Angelo, Texas.
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