God is Making a Tapestry
When you look at a tapestry from behind, only tangled threads, knots, loose ends, and jarring colors are visible. Nothing seems deliberate, making it appear messy and incomplete. However, when the tapestry is flipped around, each thread reveals its purpose. The knots served a purpose. The darker shades added depth. The pattern was present all along; it was just hidden from that perspective.
For years, Joseph experienced life from the back of the tapestry, with the pit, prison, and false accusations appearing messy and purposeless. However, in Genesis 45, he finally perceives the front side of God's weave. What seemed like chaos was truly craftsmanship. We often judge God’s work from the underside, before the full picture emerges. Yet faith believes that even tangled threads are guided by a Master Weaver.
Genesis 45:8
Therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
THE WORK OF HUMANITY
Joseph understood that human actions and efforts stem from a flawed and sinful nature. He recognized that humanity's perspective was limited, often centered on personal desires rather than the will of the Lord. In Genesis 45:8, Joseph told his brothers that the Lord was involved even in their fleshly actions against him.
SELF-CENTERED – Joseph’s brothers acted out of resentment and jealousy, motivated by fleshly emotions, pride, and fear. When resentment and jealousy dominate the self, our actions mirror those of the brothers. We react based on fleshly impulses, with responses fueled by unrestrained emotions, self-pride, and fear of loss.
IN THE MOMENT – The brothers let the circumstances of that moment cloud their judgment, preventing them from perceiving the long-term consequences of their decisions and actions. Their immediate solution to the problem arose without awareness of the growing underlying guilt. When we react impulsively without considering future impacts, we lay the foundation for persistent feelings of guilt and unease.
REACTIVE – Joseph’s brothers initially acted out of reaction rather than discernment. Their response was driven by fleshly impulses rather than spiritual insight. When we react instead of discerning, our decisions and actions are based on pressure rather than prayer, and urgency rather than obedience. However, none of this surprises the Lord.
THE WORK OF GOD
Joseph’s brother acted impulsively, but God was working with purpose. Unlike humans who react to circumstances, God operates intentionally, guided by a proactive approach. He understands the larger story and works according to His plan for His glory.
PROACTIVE – God was not only responding to Joseph’s struggles but was already at work beforehand. What seemed like disruptions in Joseph’s life were actually God’s divine positioning, preparing him for a greater purpose. As children of the Lord, we must acknowledge that God is constantly at work, arranging our paths for what He has planned for us.
PART OF A GREATER STORY – Joseph’s life was not centered on himself. It wasn’t about his comfort or achievements but about God's plan to save His people. God positioned Joseph within history to be a tool for rescuing His covenant community. We should look at God’s actions not through our comfort or success but as part of His larger purpose, where we are used as instruments in His divine story.
FOR HIS GLORY – The Lord's work focuses on blessing and rescuing His people. It highlights His actions and ultimately aims to bring glory to God. We should see God’s glory in how He transforms betrayal into blessing, pain into provision, and injustice into salvation. His glory is evident when we observe His power to turn evil intentions into redemptive outcomes.
Every believer faces a point where they must decide how to interpret their story. We can see it through others' failures or through God's faithfulness. Joseph shows us that maturity isn't about understanding why suffering occurs but trusting whois behind it all. What others intend for harm, God can turn into good. Currently, the Lord is weaving your story into something greater than this moment, working intentionally for His glory.
