Today’s scripture: Genesis 45 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ciemone Easter-Rose):
There’s a mantra that I like to use during particularly rough moments. Created by Dr. Stuart Kaplan, as part of a Let Go of Stress meditation, the mantra includes a couple of lines that state: “I forgive everyone in the past who I feel has created disharmony in my life. I have learned and I have grown from all of my past experiences. I am free to move forward with joy into the present moment. I now move beyond forgiveness to understanding, and I feel compassion for all. I love and accept every aspect of myself. Handmade in the image of God — and since God is invincible — I have the ability to overcome all obstacles.”
Often times, when using this mantra, I have a visual in my mind about a particular person or event that I may have been holding onto, or that has kept me from moving forward with my life in some way. I have noticed a particular pattern occurring throughout my life, such that, at almost every key transition point in my education, career, and even personal experiences, there always seems to have been a person or persons who have in some way tried to stand in the way of me fulfilling my purpose. Whether a professor who, with bias, questioned my competencies in spite of having a 4.0 GPA and having received an A in two of his own courses; a supervisor who would rather throw me under the bus than own up to her own failings; or a sibling who can’t look past her own jealousy to even embrace a sense of pride in a younger sister — I have learned that, when God truly has a purpose for you, nothing can keep you from it.
Regardless of what the intentions were of these people when they attempted to block or harm me in some way, the other thing I have come to realize is that God can use even the ill intentions of others to create both opportunities and blessings for us in our own lives. For me, one thing that has always benefited me from encountering a trial has been the growth of my own resiliency. When I think back to many of the struggles that I’ve had in years past, I can honestly say that not a single one of them has prevented me from accomplishing any of the things for which I have ever strived or the things that God has called me to pursue. If anything, I’ve found that God is constantly working at removing the obstacles that naysayers have attempted to throw in my way. While I do believe that my pathway could have been easier if I’d either had or not had certain experiences, I don’t think that I would be the same person that I am today, nor be able to give back as much to others who are presently struggling in the work that I do every day. Much like Joseph in today’s passage, I can embrace even those who have tried to block me, because I know that God had a much greater purpose in their actions than even they or I can discern.
Question for the Day: When it feels like others are blocking our way, we may need to examine what it is that we ourselves are holding onto that is keeping us blocked. Letting go is the first step to unblocking our own purpose. The second step is letting God.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.