Here’s a word association: The Life of Joseph, the Rhythm of Life, and Bingo.
What do all these things have in common? At first blush, common threads aren’t obvious but there are a few actually.
When I was a child there was a game show on TV (black & white back then before God invented color, according to my sons!), whose name I don’t remember (age issues showing up again) and there was a clear drum turning with ping pong balls bouncing around. Each ball had a letter and number on it, somewhat like a Bingo game. Every once in awhile one ball would roll out of the drum and down a ramp to where it could be picked up and identified. In recent years in California, a similar system was used for one of the many lottery games. The anticipation of waiting to see what the ball said was exciting.
My mind has been a lot like that drum lately. The ideas in my head have been a lot like the ping pong balls bouncing around waiting to roll down the ramp into the foreground of my thoughts to be identified. The anticipation of what the thoughts mean is almost as exciting as the game show was.
So here’s where The Life of Joseph comes in. Our pastors have been teaching about the Life of Joseph all through the Fall. I love how much depth and application these men show us each week. You will definitely learn a lot if you click the link and listen. But there has been this random ping pong ball idea bouncing around in my head that has formulated itself into a question.
Here it is: If Joseph could trust God so thoroughly, why can’t we?
He didn’t have the Bible in print or on his computer, smart phone or tablet. He didn’t have Bible studies or small groups or the fellowship of other believers. He didn’t have commentaries to study or a plethora of books to read about Who God Is and How to Know God.
He simply trusted.
Perhaps God was more obvious to Joseph because he had less-distractions? He was in a pit and in prison for quite awhile.
How can we have less-distractions in this day and age? This is where the idea ball named Rhythm of Life comes down the ramp in my mind.
If we make time alone with God a priority and we plan for this time in each day as an appointment on our calendar, then we are actively choosing to make God a priority and push back against the tide of distractions that threaten to overwhelm us daily.
My google calendar says Coffee with Jesus from 6 am to 7 am daily. It is a starting point. Pick a time that you like. Make it a date. Write it on your calendar. Show up.
Guaranteed He will too.
Love it. Trusting God isn’t complicated – it’s just hard :).
Getting to know Him better is the best place to start.
Kim, I agree! Spending time and focus on God: His character and ways of relating to us can really help to build that simple trust. Thanks for your comment.
It’s easy to trust when things are going well, but another when times are difficult.
Arleen, thanks for your comment. I wonder if the deepening of trust in God doesn’t actually happen until our circumstances get to be challenging?
The simplicity of this is beautiful. Just trust. It reminds of the peace that passes all understanding…we are always wanting more, yet God tells us to just trust!
Martha, thanks for reading and responding! I appreciate your comments. It really is a mystery; complexity and simplicity intertwine in God. He invites us to draw near and just hang out with Him; the One who spoke it all into being!
“My google calendar says Coffee with Jesus from 6 am to 7 am daily.” I LOVE that idea. To call it coffee with Jesus. It somehow makes it even more personal and inviting! Thanks!
I’m glad you like it Pam! Years ago I read the book My Heart Christ’s Home and the image of Jesus seated in a chair in my living room waiting for me to come meet with Him has always stuck with me. Thanks for reading and thanks for commenting!