FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION

This week, God granted me the opportunity to watch the widely acclaimed play, JOSEPH, at the famous Sight and Sound Theaters. This is the largest faith-based live theater in the United States and anyone who has been there would understand why it carries the nickname “Christian Broadway”. Such a person would also understand why Sight and Sound is fondly referred to as “the place where the Bible comes to life”.

The play Joseph is a greatly remarkable story of interest, intrigue and meaning. Packed with emotion, it is difficult to see this play and not think about our relationship with one another and with God.  After suffering many major hazards in a short life time that seemed like eternity, Joseph’s otherwise forgettable dream not only maintained value and newness but came to life in his lifetime.  For that dream to become a reality, Joseph became Zaphnath-Paaneah (a name given to him by Pharaoh), meaning “man to whom mysteries are revealed”.  Eventually, he moved from a very ordinary position in life and became the governor and the ruler of the land of Egypt. It is a story that should teach us all that our lives are planned out, not by man but by God who is our Maker and that our dreams are capable of coming true, no matter how long they may seem to linger.

 

Unfortunately, we now live in a world that is being ripped apart by our inability to forgive, our constant need to find fault in others and our remarkable ability to hold grudges even over matters of little importance.  As a result, families are shattering, communities are being torn apart, nations are at war and peacemakers are being condemned .  Yet, as difficult as it was for Joseph, he found the strength from God to forgive his brothers who sold him. Forgiveness is not easy and doesn’t come naturally, However, the strength to forgive can be attained because it comes from God.  We owe ourselves and our world the responsibility to build relationships and not destroy them, and to build others up rather than tearing them down just because we choose to harbor grudges over peace and forgiveness from which restoration comes.