“I thought I did what's right, I thought I had the answers, I thought I chose the surest road, But that road brought me here, So I put up a fight, And told you how to help me, Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear.”
Chorus: “You know better than I, You know the way, I've let go the need to know why, For You know better than I”
“If this has been a test, I cannot see the reason, But maybe knowing, I don't know is part of getting through, I tried to do what's best, But faith has made it easy, To see the best thing i can do, Is to put my trust in You.”
Chorus
Coda: “I saw one cloud and thought it was a sky, I saw a bird and thought that I could follow, But it was You who taught that bird to fly, If i let You reach me, Will You teach me.” (Repeat Chorus)
The lyrics printed above are from the song “You Know Better than I” in the movie “Joseph: King of Dreams”. After being sold into slavery, Joseph engages on a journey that perplexes his sensibilities. Where was God in all of this? Surely the trials and hardships being experienced by Joseph pointed to an issue of abandonment. Logic, while often wrong, dictates a thought process which has us to believe God’s blessings are synonymous with our successes. Consequently anything negative reflects God’s disapproval of a person. Joseph, the youngest of Jacob’s sons, was loved. However, Joseph’s brothers were jealous of this love and knew that to regain their father’s favor, the problem had to be eliminated. Jacob’s heart was broken at the loss of his son. Joseph also grieved for his loss. Once in Egypt, Joseph served faithfully and earned the favor of his master Potiphar. Just when things were going great, in a strange turn of events, Joseph was imprisoned over false accusations. My guess is Joseph was screaming out, “Oh come on!!!!” What is the point of Joseph’s journey?
Sometimes Christians believe their belief alone will spare them from the difficulties in life. Yet, have the promises of God included being spared from the difficulty experienced in the world? The answer for this question is a resounding “NO”. God does promise that while our situations may seem hopeless at times better days are coming as God’s kingdom continues to be made known by the church today but brought to completeness with the second coming of Christ. Not at one point did God abandon Joseph. God is always there and will continue to be there. The question is do we see God in the midst of our difficulties today?
I feel that each of us can relate to Joseph’s story at some point in our life. Recent events in my own life have left me feeling as though God is punishing me. As most of you know my family remained in Greenville while I came to Okatie. Approximately 4 hours (driving time) separate my family from me. After being appointed to Church of the Palms I knew deep down that the problems in my marriage would be exposed. Worst of all separation from Meghan and Jackson has been difficult. A marriage that is on the rocks is difficult enough, but with my children brought into the mix, emotions tend to become uncontrollable at times. Many nights have been spent sleepless missing two children who have brought me such great joy.
After receiving my appointment to Church of the Palms I was nervous. Not once did I even entertain the notion of asking for reconsideration (by seeking a different appointment closer to Greenville). I can relate to the first part of the song which says “I thought I had made all the right choices”. I have no regrets coming to CotP because I have met and been embraced by a loving congregation. We have experienced a few difficult moments but the blessings have been abundant. From missions to meetings to fellowship I know I have been blessed by God. In the midst of such joy my personal life has been a mess. The pain has not subsided. This has prompted me to seek a “leave of absence” from the conference. In other words I will be taking a break so I may get my personal life back in order.
As it turned out Joseph’s journey into Egypt was both a personal and professional blessing. Had it not been for Joseph, the Egyptians and Joseph’s family would have been devastated by the impending famine. While in my case as well as Church of the Palms we do not know what faces us in the future there is no doubt in my mind God will be made known through each of us. Like Joseph, I hope we will place our trust in the Triune God who knows us better than we know ourselves. Trusting in God enables our future to be bright and full of great joy. In God’s love we see clearly. I do love each and every one of you.
David Norrell
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