I believe that the most valuable activity that I can do as a follower of Christ is this:
Is be in the midst of living a life of FAITH.(Hebrews 11.6)My mindset comes out of a long couple of years of what I know now as my time in my Joseph pit.Exactly where I began to learn the lesson of trusting God – through circumstances that I could actually blame on myself, others, the world and on and on… I could have also claimed to be a victim of all the stuff.The Joseph pit is a great place to learn the lesson of FAITH.Why?Why call it the Joseph pit?
Genesis 37
So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.
19 "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other. 20 "Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams."
21 When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. "Let's not take his life," he said. 22 "Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him."
Remember the story?Not only was Joseph thrown in a well, the pit, but he then was sold into slavery.Oh man—did he deserve this?No.Was it his fault?Not really.Was this God’s plan?Hmmmmmm now that is a great question.For unjust activity was thrown on an innocent man.According to some Christians—this should not happen.When you follow Christ all is well—not.When youbelieve in Christ—suffering stops.Not.When you live for Christ the unjust never win.Not true.
Joseph was thrown into a pit and sold as a slave—and yet years later as he serves the King— becomes the King—goes through many, many things—and the reveals himself to his brothers—and says this:
Genesis 45
4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Joseph learned through the awful situation—that God’s plan was the main point.
Joseph also states in Genesis 50—the God’s purposes as he lived a life of faithfulness before God, his people and his family—
19 But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
The injustice and jealous of his brothers—turned out to be good, very good indeed.
The point.The point is that living by faith will not always look good, or feel good, or always be good.But, the person of God will grow as they live a life of FAITH believing that God’s purposes are the issue.Not comfort, not what everybby ody else thinks—ummmm including the family of God i.e., Joseph’s brothers.
My time now at Fairhaven I am convinced is about God’s purposes in the lives of students, parents and others—not because I am so good—no no no…. I began this life of faith way back when I accepted Christ as my Savior.Will He work in my life?Yes.Will circumstances always make sense?No.Will His way prevail?Yes.What do my students need most from me?
Certainly not more knowledge.Knowledge is the not the most important part of my ministry.What the students need is the opportunity to live out their faith period.For it is Faith that is pleasing to God.It is Faith that produces the basis for why students live a life committed to Him.It is by Faith that a person is justified.It is by faith that one practices what they claim to be knowledge.
That is what the 2 days were all about for our leaders.Opportunities to hear the ministry values.Opportunities to go on a high ropes course and trust not only God, but their friends, my leadership, and the opportunity to put into practice their faith in the one that saved them.Oh, He saved them not because they were so good or bad, but because by faith they trusted Him for their salvation.
Oh man, I have had my time in the pit.The pit.My pit?A time to learn to trust in my God no matter what.I have not arrived.Quite the contrary.I have only just begun.The student ministry has only just begun.The opportunities to live by FAITH will be a lifetime…. It never stops, nor should it.
