Happy Monday to all! Yesterday in Genesis 29 and 30, we looked at how God worked through Jacob’s dysfunctional family of four wives and twelve children to accomplish His purposes. We saw that despite their competition, envy, and jealousy, God was working to accomplish His purposes through their lives. Do you think because you have or had a dysfunctional family that God cannot work for, in, and through you? God uses us though everyone of us is messed up by our sin. God works despite those things. However, that does not excuse our jealousy and envy. Jealousy and envy should not be part of the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit wants to enable us to live in love and peace, not jealousy and envy. Jealousy and envy in any situation create greater conflict. Jealousy and envy spills over into the lives of those closest to us. By God’s power and grace, we can stop the vicious cycle of bitterness, jealous, envy, and unforgiveness and life can be better. God the Father sent Christ Jesus His Son to enter our pain and take it upon Himself! Even as Jesus was suffering, Jesus set an example of forgiveness when he cried out, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Wecan also by the power of God forgive. God can empower us to overcome. In our pain know this: God works in the lives of those who feel lonely and unloved. God remembers them. God works in dysfunctional families to bring His love and salvation.
Remember to keep praying continually for each other. None of us know fully the burdens our brothers and sisters in Christ might be carrying.
Love being your pastor!