An Unwanted Coat

“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! 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.” – Genesis 45:4-5

There is a coat that hangs on the rack in our house. It is an Unwanted Coat. Why is it unwanted? It’s heavy and different. At least that’s what Nathan tells me.

One afternoon, I sent the kids out to play for just fifteen minutes. It was cold outside but they needed to get some of their energy out. I asked Nathan to wear this coat. The unwanted coat.

Nathan reluctantly put the coat on. In fact, he didn’t even zip it until I encouraged him to. As I watched the kids out the window, I noticed Nathan wasn’t playing. He had a scowl on his face. And he sat there the whole time.

After the kids came inside, Nathan and I talked about the unwanted coat and his attitude. We discussed the importance of a having grateful heart even when we don’t like something. This is a hard lesson and one even as an adult, I am still working on.

The Coat of Joseph

As I reflected more on this coat incident, I thought of another coat. The coat of Joseph. The coat of many colors that Jacob gave his favored son. This coat caused a lot of problems between Joseph and his brothers. In fact, they ended up selling Joseph into slavery because they hated him so much.

After arriving in Egypt, Joseph went through a lot of hardship. He was falsely accused and imprisoned. Joseph was forgotten by the cupbearer and stayed in prison even longer. But, God used every one of these circumstances to prepare Joseph for something greater.

Something Greater

In our key verses for today, Joseph is speaking to his brothers. He recognizes that God had a bigger plan in mind when Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. God used Joseph to save a nation.

It wasn’t easy for Joseph in these years. He was separated from his family, living in a foreign land, in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and forgotten. I am sure Joseph cried out to God many times. But, he also let God use and refine him for something far greater.

This story challenges me. How many times have I faced an unwanted circumstance? How many times have I cried out to God “This isn’t fair!” Instead of fighting my circumstances, I want to learn to embrace what God has for me in it. I  don’t like the hard circumstances, but I do love how God is growing me in them.

How about you? What circumstance are you facing in life that seems unfair? Or hard? Ask God to give you His perspective. His plan is so much greater.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the story of Joseph. Thank you for how he trusted You even in the hard times. You used Joseph’s heartache in powerful ways. Help me to see your perspective on what I am going through. Thank you that You have the bigger picture in mind. Help me to trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.