Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Sacramental
Living
Genesis 39:1-23
Genesis 39:1-23
Vs
9c. "How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"
Sacrament, as we know, depicts “visible
manifestations of Invisible Grace”. As we live to reveal the true purpose
of God, our living has to be sacramental, manifesting the dimensions of Grace,
which is an unmerited gift. Sister Mary Core Benedict reveals that, “If we
choose to be attentive to God’s love, Grace and presence within us, then we
choose to live in a manner that reflects Christ’s presence in our lives.” She
says,“The result is, we become sacramental to others. We help others to know
God through the visible sign of God in who we are.”
Joseph, the Biblical character, reveals this aspect of Sacramental Living. From his life journey of “No One to Some One” designed by God, he never lead an absurd life but was obedient to living a life in attention to God’s love, Grace and presence. This chapter clearly illustrates how Joseph stood out as an authentic Grace filled personality in the midst of accusations, allegations and atrocities. His actions and approach were trained in the perception of God’s presence where his mother, during the time of his birth, gave an insight of the words mentioned in Gen 30:23b that, “God has taken away my disgrace.” The word Joseph means, “May Lord add or increase” and he witnessed the physical and spiritual blessings of his father Jacob being appended in the ways that is in accordance to the will of God. The “Jabbok“ experience shared by his father in his closeness with God, could also have molded Joseph in a way to be a “Prism of God’s Grace” in the experiences of Pit, Prison and Palace.
The wife of Potiphar, in her inner chambers, radiated gratifications that could have made Joseph have easy access to money, sex and power, but as a discerning receiver of God’s Grace, Joseph never compromised in a way contrary to God’s will and purpose. Joseph was overprotected by his father till the deception of his brothers and even in the absence of his physical father, turned to look upon the Everlasting Father which trained him as a discerning Disciple who always provides, positions and protects in gains and pains. We live in a world where evil exists within a blink of an eye and mind, where Max Lucado in his book, ‘You’ll get through this’ says a remark that, “In a culture that uses phrases like ‘consenting adults’ and ‘sexual rights’, we forget how immorality destroys the lives of people who aren’t in the bedroom”. There are inner chambers in our life where we mess up and miss the holiness desired by God, but Joseph stands out to place loyalty to God above lusts and resistance to evil even in times of abandonment, enslavement, betrayal and affliction. His radiance of Godly character and timing challenges us to turn our worldly “mess” into a Godly “message” that radiates to others.
Joseph, the Biblical character, reveals this aspect of Sacramental Living. From his life journey of “No One to Some One” designed by God, he never lead an absurd life but was obedient to living a life in attention to God’s love, Grace and presence. This chapter clearly illustrates how Joseph stood out as an authentic Grace filled personality in the midst of accusations, allegations and atrocities. His actions and approach were trained in the perception of God’s presence where his mother, during the time of his birth, gave an insight of the words mentioned in Gen 30:23b that, “God has taken away my disgrace.” The word Joseph means, “May Lord add or increase” and he witnessed the physical and spiritual blessings of his father Jacob being appended in the ways that is in accordance to the will of God. The “Jabbok“ experience shared by his father in his closeness with God, could also have molded Joseph in a way to be a “Prism of God’s Grace” in the experiences of Pit, Prison and Palace.
The wife of Potiphar, in her inner chambers, radiated gratifications that could have made Joseph have easy access to money, sex and power, but as a discerning receiver of God’s Grace, Joseph never compromised in a way contrary to God’s will and purpose. Joseph was overprotected by his father till the deception of his brothers and even in the absence of his physical father, turned to look upon the Everlasting Father which trained him as a discerning Disciple who always provides, positions and protects in gains and pains. We live in a world where evil exists within a blink of an eye and mind, where Max Lucado in his book, ‘You’ll get through this’ says a remark that, “In a culture that uses phrases like ‘consenting adults’ and ‘sexual rights’, we forget how immorality destroys the lives of people who aren’t in the bedroom”. There are inner chambers in our life where we mess up and miss the holiness desired by God, but Joseph stands out to place loyalty to God above lusts and resistance to evil even in times of abandonment, enslavement, betrayal and affliction. His radiance of Godly character and timing challenges us to turn our worldly “mess” into a Godly “message” that radiates to others.
PRAYER
O God, "May it be the
real I who speaks. May it be the real Thou that I speak to." Amen. (C S
Lewis)
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY
‘Knowledge
of Receiving God’s Grace = Living to Radiate God’s Grace’
Rev. Thomas Kurian, Oklahoma MTC