But God Intended It For Good To Accomplish What is Being Done

Genesis 50:20 Joseph is speaking to his brothers who'd sold him into slavery:

"You intended to harm me but God intended it for good to accomplish
what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Reading this morning brought back how our enemy continues to hurl obstacles in our paths, in an attempt to prevent us from reaching the promised land. We see the bigger picture on this side of Joseph's story today. His brothers had not seen this in the day they sold him into slavery. Joseph also saw and had the opportunity to rise to the occasion and do the right thing. How much more today aren't we continually met at the same juncture? Bad mouth those brothers and turn them out or have compassion, forgive and be a part of the greater good?

I noted Genesis 50 while reading an article concerned with abortion. The story told of crosses intended as witnesses representing the number of abortions in America each day. Vandals took the crosses out and/or graffiti painted "pro-choice" appeared on some that remained. The author told of how members of the church went and restored the crosses, how people stopped to talk that were planning abortions but changed their minds as a result of the crosses, not to mention those who didn't stop there but talked to someone somewhere else. He wrote of seeing children playing in playgrounds wondering if one or more might have been born rather than the alternative because of such witnesses. It wasn't an arrogant thing, just a sharing of putting his faith in action and the fruit that was reaped as a result.

It had me thinking as we walk out life across the Atlantic, so far away from our family, our loved ones and yet, we have the opportunity to bridge the gap by including these in the larger picture of family. You can call me naiive, but I also began to dream of fruit that will rise up one day here. I wonder if many years from now, some one like Joseph might rise up as the country's leader, remembering how God meant to accomplish some amazing good in their lives. I think about Natasha's situation and her confession, "I'm doing this for Tacu, not for myself. And I'm following the dream God has given me to walk out." We, too, are following that dream and pray that we can continue to encourage men and women like Natasha to be all they were created to be, to step into the destinies God has prepared for them with confidence in a strong relationship of faith in the King of Kings who is ever present in our time of need, but also in the best of times, longing to love us and know us and allow us to know Him!

I'm writing this on Friday... on Monday Caitlin's first tuition payment is due and so is our house payment. The bank account today does not have sufficient funds for what is expected to be paid in full on Monday. But we are praying, hoping, believing in a God who is always faithful. We have done all we know to do to get to Monday and so when you have done all Stand! And like Jehoshaphat was told, we also face the battle with our eyes and faith in the Lord, praying that He will come! As Caitlin's parents she has seen us speak faith into the lives of people like Natasha and countless others in Africa as well as the other side of the world. She has witnessed God's amazing miracles, coming even sometimes at the last moment. She knows of the countless times we've stayed up all night in prayer for someone in need till the answer has come. Ann called at 1 a.m. Thursday crying and in need of prayer from terrible head pains. Next day the dr. said she suffered a ministroke. What more might it have been without prayer? Who will care for them since they have no family?

Caitlin has a dream, too. She aims to be the next Louis Voutton, a top fashion designer who will employ women from all over Africa and the world some day! And she will stand with us, expecting, praying and believing; hoping in an Almighty God who has led her thus far and whom she knows will not forsake her. Please pray with us?