January 20, 2014 What's Your Story?

What’s Your Story?

Read Genesis 36-37

Genesis 37:2 This is the account of Jacob. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers, the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives, and he brought their father a bad report about them.

WHAT is the story of Jacob? It is the story of his youth, his servitude to Laban, his restoration with his estranged brother Esau, and his special calling from God. And Jacob’s story is also told in the story of his sons.

      How compelling it is to read the wanderings, the intrigue, the infighting, the plotting, and ultimately the forgiveness within this man’s life and the lives of his sons.

      But is it much different than anyone else’s life? We are all on a journey, physically and spiritually. We sometimes feel entrapped by life’s circumstances. We argue with our children and sometimes avoid them. We too seldom forgive. Yet when we write our story, we always include our children. They are a vital portion of who we are and our life’s journey.

      Yes, Jacob’s story is your story. You will see his sons do evil things. And you will see one of sons do remarkable things. You will see reconciliation come to this broken family, and they will continue Jacob’s story to become Israel’s story.

      As you parent or influence others, be mindful that who you are makes a deep impact on your children. You may need to struggle with them. And you will likely need to forgive them. Model God’s law, love and forgiveness. May your story and your children’s story be a story of redemption and promise for the generations to come.  

     

LIFE Connection: What would it look like to have your story written on paper? Anything you’d like to change?