Waypoints: Joseph's Brothers Return

• Have you ever done something you shouldn't have done?
  
• Have you ever not done what you should have done in a situation?
  
• In other words, have you ever sinned?
  

If your answer to the above three questions is a resounding "NO" I think we may need to visit a bit so I can understand the parallel universe in which you reside. Having said that, I am quite assured that virtually everyone possesses enough self-awareness that we are united in the reality of our imperfection. Once we are willing to own up to our "missing the mark" we will bump up against the God given opportunity to repent.

This biblical word means that we own our failures to the point that we want to live our lives in a new direction. We not only see our sin and admit it, but we also actively turn away from the sin. There is a "godly sorrow" that leads to repentance. That means that we understand that this action, inaction or attitude is in opposition to the heart and ways of our God. When we realize this disconnect from God we actively move to reconnect.

Our message theme for this Sunday takes us further into the life of Joseph. [Genesis 43-44] He is now second in command over all of Egypt. He answers only to Pharaoh. Joseph has led Egypt through the seven years of tremendous crops to prepare for the seven years of famine. The storehouses are full and the people are safe in Egypt and beyond. Joseph's family is in need of food so his brothers come to Egypt. The story plays out that Joseph recognizes his brothers but they don't recognize him. These are the brothers that sold him into slavery and all that happened from there. Joseph could crush them in "righteous retaliation" but he doesn't. Instead he leads them to repentance and freedom.

I will let you read the whole story for yourself but what might appear to be insensitive game-playing by Joseph is actually a key component in bringing his brothers to see that they have sinned against Joseph, Jacob and God. They are in need of living in the truth and that is what true repentance delivers. The difficult process brings the brothers to full ownership of their sins.
Where are we in need of repentance today?

This weekend is when we turn the clocks back. We miraculously gain an hour! One more glorious hour of sleep or staying up late - whichever way you want to look at it. As nice as that is we really did not create an additional hour of life. I bring this up to drive home the point that we cannot "turn the clocks back" on our lives. This is the moment we have been given and the sooner we repent the better since that will bring us to a place of freedom for our souls.

• What do you need to bring to God today?
• Who do you need to go to and ask for forgiveness?
  

Life is glorious but it is brief. Repentance is powerful and there is no better time than the present to have it do its powerful work.

In grace and truth,
Pastor Nick