Genesis 43:15 So the men took the gifts and double the amount of silver, and Benjamin also. They hurried down to Egypt and presented themselves to Joseph.
We are more than the sum of our transgressions. We are more than our mistakes and missteps, more than the worst things we’ve ever thought or said or did. When God looks at us, He sees His deeply loved children. When we look at ourselves, we see all the bad, the wrong, the less than.
Genesis 43:16 When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my house, slaughter an animal and prepare a meal; they are to eat with me at noon.”
God made us to be in community, and I think one of the reasons He did that is because He knows that we can’t clearly see ourselves. Oh, most of us are great at building others up, but we tear ourselves down, thinking we are the only ones who can see ourselves clearly. God gives us community so that there are others in our lives who can hold up His mirror of truth, especially when we can’t see His truth about ourselves. We are deeply, fiercely loved by our Creator. Always.
Genesis 43:17 The man did as Joseph told him and took the men to Joseph’s house.
Precious Savior, Just like Joseph’s brothers, we all struggle with the mistakes and missteps of our lives. We focus on what we did wrong or could have done better. We forget that we are deeply, fiercely, compassionately loved by You. Thank You for the community You call us to. When we lose sight of who You say we are, help us to listen to our village, to hear Your loving truth. We aren’t perfect, but You don’t need perfection. You need willing, loving hearts that seek You always. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Genesis 43:18 Now the men were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, “We were brought here because of the silver that was put back into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves and take our donkeys.”
Have a blessed day.