God is With Us
August 26, 2024 12:00 AM
God has called all believers to follow Him. One of the easiest, and likely most overlooked ways is to serve one another. Unfortunately, we start to question why do I need to greet someone, join the worship team, or teach a Growth Community? I know from my own experience that it is easy to write off or view it as something someone else is already doing. This was especially the case when my family came to The River.
We had felt almost like we were run off or pushed out of our previous church. There were some definite wounds that were prevalent, and some issues we needed to work through. So, when we started to attend the church, it was like slow baby steps to getting involved and connected. It was in a small Growth Community that really introduced this idea to me.
In Genesis chapter 37, we get introduced to Joseph. His father favored him, which in turn made his brothers resent him, and sell him to some Midianites. Joseph was sold a couple of times and eventually ended up with Potiphar. Genesis 39:2 says, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man.” He gains some power and authority within Potiphar’s house, but resists the advances from Potiphar’s wife and is thrown in jail. Again in Genesis 39:21, we read, “The Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” Joseph spends some time in prison and over a few years interprets a couple of dreams for the pharaoh. That leads to the pharaoh eventually freeing Joseph and Joseph becoming the governor of the land during a famine. This is when we read his brothers come looking for some food. It would have been really easy for Joseph to tell them off, or too bad, but instead, he ends up treating them just like all the others. Ultimately it leads to a reunion with his family.
The story has always stood out to me. It is a reminder to give everything you have in whatever you are doing. It gives reassurance that even when we cannot see it God is still working and in control, also a reminder that God is God and we are not. God may be using something in your life to help give you a different perspective or outlook on a situation so that down the line you can be a light to someone else. God wants us in fellowship with others. Wherever that may be for you, remember that similarly how God was with Joseph to make him successful, He will be with us.
We had felt almost like we were run off or pushed out of our previous church. There were some definite wounds that were prevalent, and some issues we needed to work through. So, when we started to attend the church, it was like slow baby steps to getting involved and connected. It was in a small Growth Community that really introduced this idea to me.
In Genesis chapter 37, we get introduced to Joseph. His father favored him, which in turn made his brothers resent him, and sell him to some Midianites. Joseph was sold a couple of times and eventually ended up with Potiphar. Genesis 39:2 says, “The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man.” He gains some power and authority within Potiphar’s house, but resists the advances from Potiphar’s wife and is thrown in jail. Again in Genesis 39:21, we read, “The Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” Joseph spends some time in prison and over a few years interprets a couple of dreams for the pharaoh. That leads to the pharaoh eventually freeing Joseph and Joseph becoming the governor of the land during a famine. This is when we read his brothers come looking for some food. It would have been really easy for Joseph to tell them off, or too bad, but instead, he ends up treating them just like all the others. Ultimately it leads to a reunion with his family.
The story has always stood out to me. It is a reminder to give everything you have in whatever you are doing. It gives reassurance that even when we cannot see it God is still working and in control, also a reminder that God is God and we are not. God may be using something in your life to help give you a different perspective or outlook on a situation so that down the line you can be a light to someone else. God wants us in fellowship with others. Wherever that may be for you, remember that similarly how God was with Joseph to make him successful, He will be with us.