We all have an idea of how we hope that our life would go.
We all have dreams. We have dreams for our own lives and the lives of people
who are close to us. We have goals that we would like to accomplish during our
lifetime. We have a measure of what would constitute a complete life for us.
When reality does not match our idealized life, we are
disappointed and sad. We grieve the loss of a life that we had imagined both
for ourselves and those who are close to us. We wonder where God is in all of
these situations.
The Bible tells us about a man with whom we can identify.
Jacob’s life had taken several unexpected twists, yet he came to the end of his
life content with God’s will. Jacob was ready to die, when his end was
approaching. He was at peace with his life and all that God had done through
him even though life had not turned out the way that he had planned.
Finally,
Jacob said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen your face again
and know you are still alive.” Genesis 46.30 (NLT)
Jacob faced adversity most of his life. He and his twin
brother fought from the time that they were born. As a young man, Jacob was
tricked into marrying a woman that he didn’t love in a two for one special.
Jacob left home on bad terms and lived apart from his family for many years.
Jacob’s own sons fought and were intensely jealous of Joseph and Benjamin.
Jacob’s wife died early. He lived for years as a nomad. He didn’t get along
with his in-laws. As an old man, he witnessed a severe famine and saw his
grandchildren go hungry.
Despite all of the challenges that Jacob faced, he continued
to lead. He dealt with his grief. He chose to follow God. And, he chose to
continue to envision a future for himself and his loved ones. He looked for
what was redeemable about life. He lived a life that mattered.
All of us face the reality of a life that has not turned out
exactly as we have planned. Sometimes we struggle to see all of the good that
has come from our lives because it may have been unplanned or may have been
forgotten along the way.
What do you want to accomplish in the days that you have
left? What might God do in your life that you have not planned? What would it
take for you to be able to say at the end of your life that you are ready to go
because you know that your life was worthwhile?
Jacob was content knowing that Joseph was alive and that God
was still doing His work in the world. May God give us eyes to see His will and
work that will live on long past our few days. May God give us a glimpse of the
bigger picture.
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