NOT YET THE END

Read: GENESIS 41:1-45

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Bible in a year: Zechariah 8-14

A little boy saw his older brother reading a novel. The boy went to his father and asked if his father knew the content of the novel. 'Yes,' his father replied, 'it is happy.' 'But I saw my brother shed tears,' he protested. His father smiled and said, 'That's because your brother hasn't reached the end yet.'

In the Bible, there are many stories to ponder. One of them is the story of Joseph. When he was young, Joseph had two dreams explaining that he would become a ruler someday (Gen. 37:7, 9). 'Happy,' that's the conclusion about Joseph's story. It is surprising because reading the next part makes us shed tears. It is written there that Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers (Gen. 37:28). Joseph worked hard, but what he got was injustice. His master's wife falsely accused him so he was thrown into prison (Gen. 39:17-20). Again, Joseph worked hard, also helped two royal officials. Once again, what he got was injustice. One of them, the lucky one, the chief cupbearer, forgot his kindness (Gen. 40:23). We complain, wonder why Joseph's fate is so bad. Similar to the answer, we have not reached the end yet. From prison, Joseph was called to interpret Pharaoh's dream, the king of Egypt (v. 14). He succeeded, then he was appointed as the ruler of the entire country (v. 41). Happy, right?

Perhaps we are experiencing suffering. The heaviness of our struggles makes us shed tears. However, let's not give up just yet. Remind ourselves that it is not the end yet. Because in the Lord, everything will be beautiful in His time. Surely, suffering will turn into happiness.
-LIN/www.renunganharian.net

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WHEN IT COMES TO THE END OF A LIFE DESIGNED BY GOD, WE WILL ALWAYS FIND HAPPINESS

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