Vital signs- Saturday, August 14th, 2021

“Detours Prepare Us For The Future”

During the 2015 NFL season, Green Bay Packers’ wide receiver, James Jones, was a key reason the team made it to the playoffs. Jones signed with the Packers just before the first game, after spending the summer with the New York Giants and being released by them. Although Jones didn’t spend much time with the Giants and ended up getting cut, he said, “I truly believe the Lord sent me to the Giants for a reason because it wasn’t to make the team, it was to polish off all my skills.” Jones was being prepared for his return to the Packers where he wound up having a major role during the season.

I believe God allows detours, failures, and challenges to grow us and prepare us for future purposes. If we look at the Bible, we see many stories where detours result in God accomplishing something great in and through His people. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, but was able to save them later because of it. He told his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good…” We can be encouraged to learn something positive and keep persevering, even when we find ourselves in a situation we don’t understand. Let’s allow God to use our temporary road blocks for His purposes…and to “polish” our character.

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭50:15-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬