There Is Joy in the Journey
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One of the saddest verses in the Bible is found in the story of Joseph: “The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him” (Genesis 40:23, NIV). We then read the first verse of chapter 41, “When two full years had passed . . .” Imagine the disappointment! Joseph interprets the dreams of the cupbearer and baker.
The cupbearer agrees to put in a good word for Joseph.
And forgets. Maybe you have had someone let you down like that.
They said they would do something, and they did not.
Or maybe you have played the role of the cupbearer.
Lost in your own joy or life, you forgot.
A story has made its way around the internet with no apparent source.
A longtime missionary realized it was time to go home.
She had become a part of the community, and they loved her as one of their own. At the farewell party, one of her students presented her with a poorly wrapped gift.
Opening it, she saw what appeared to be an unremarkable seashell, but she recognized it as one found only on a certain beach some thirty miles away.
“Where did you get this?” she asked.
“I walked to the beach to find it for you,” he replied.
“Walked?” she exclaimed. He smiled.
“Teacher, the journey is part of the gift!” Joseph’s story ends well.
However, while he was living his life, he did not know the ending.
He could easily have turned away from God in frustration and anger.
Yet through it all, he seems to find contentment.
For Joseph, “the journey was part of the gift.” Whatever burdens you are carrying, whatever concerns keep you awake, just remember “the journey is part of the gift”—the gift that Jesus cares, that He gave His life for you, and that He has a plan you may not see but later will recognize as a necessary part of your journey. “God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him.” May we find joy in our journey today.
Merle Poirier
