Family

When Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped off his robe, the robe of many colors that he had on. 24 Then they took him and threw him into the pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.
Genesis 37:23-24

Over the past 14 months, we have heard the phrase - Isolated from family and Isolated with family! I have quoted a word from Rev. Billy Graham often; "The true test of a Christian is how he or she acts at home." This year that phrase could not ring any more true! Because of our safer at home order and our desire to flatten the curve, we learned the following things;

  • Social distancing isn't easy for anyone, but it can be especially tricky when even the best of families are home together. Even if you're besties with your siblings or wildly in love with the person or people you're home with, you're going to need your space and time apart.

  • Mental health experts stated, "If you want your relationship to survive being isolated/quarantined for several weeks, you need to have a schedule that allows the family to spend time together—and apart. The consistency of the routine is vitally important; setting the alarm, getting up together, doing chores, keeping the house tidy, having some physical activity, and yes, spending time alone is all-important.

That alone time can also be very frustrating. In our own family, two family members found themselves having to isolate themselves from the family because of possible exposure. It is safe to say that while isolated, those two had more than a few frustrations towards others in the household that could about their regular schedule, while all they could do is sit in their room and channel surf or social media scroll. That time alone may allow some bitterness and cynicism to creep in towards others who did not have to isolate themselves.

This coming Sunday, as we continue our series "Returning from isolation, seeking to replenish," the biblical example of isolation we are going to revisit is the life of Joesph and his period of isolation. As you recall in Gen 37-50, Joseph had plenty of opportunities to be embittered because of his isolation.

  • His brothers hated him,

  • He was sold into slavery,

  • He wound up losing a great job because someone lied, and

  • He languished in prison because of a lie.

We will look at Joseph's remarkable perseverance during our time together Sunday and see how even though he was isolated from his family and homeland, he kept from becoming bitter. Friends, God's continual presence reminds us of His grace and enables us to show that grace to others.

Pastor Jeff,

Union Avenue