This month during "252" (children's Sunday Bible study), we are learning about the virtue of hope. The definition we are using for hope is "believing that something good can come out of something bad." Last week we were discussing some different situations that might seem bad at first, but then God makes it into something good. I threw out some examples that I thought they could relate to and invited them to think of some examples also. Well, these kids never cease to amaze me and last week was no exception. One of your children raises his hand and proceeds to describe why Joseph's life was a story of hope. He elaborated by explaining how God had made something amazing of Joseph's life even after he'd been so wronged by so many people. There is so much to learn from the insight of kids!
As Genesis comes to an end, so does the life of Joseph. He leaves behind quite a legacy of integrity, forgiveness, and hope. I can't imagine experiencing even a portion of the hardships Joseph endured and yet he continued to trust that God had a plan. He continued to extend grace upon the undeserving and he continued to maintain a life of integrity even when it went punished. How in the world was he able to do this?! I think it came down to his perspective on God's plan for his life:
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
I encourage you to ask yourself how your attitude and maybe even behavior might change if you constantly considered the truth that God can make something good come out of something bad. And ask yourself what lessons you can learn from your kids!
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