Listen

Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives.”

Genesis 45:4-5

Think

New beginnings can be exciting, but they can also bring old hurts and unresolved tensions. Maybe it’s disappointment about a past event, friendship drama, or uncertainty about what’s ahead. Maybe it’s trepidation about stepping into a new school, team, or group and feeling like a stranger.

Joseph knew all of those feelings. Betrayed by his brothers and taken far from home, he found himself in an unfamiliar place with every reason to become bitter. Yet when he looked back, he saw that God was at work even through the hardest parts of his story.

Transformation isn’t pretending that worry or pain never occurred. It’s allowing God to shape our hearts right where we are. Like Joseph, we can choose forgiveness over bitterness, hope over resentment, community over isolation, and kindness over revenge. As we navigate unexpected situations, God journeys with us, helping us grow and perhaps become a source of encouragement and hope for others.

Aaron Shoppa

Question to Ponder:

When have you experienced God’s faithfulness during a time of change, uncertainty, or feeling out of place, and how might that past experience inform how you step into this new season?

Pray

Ever-present God, help me trust that you are still at work, even when life doesn’t go as planned. Transform my heart and renew my mind so I can share your love with others. Amen.

Go

God has already given you what you need. Go forth renewed and ready to transform the world through God’s love.