Can you believe it's August already? Where is the year going? And I know I haven't done a devotional in some time. I could beat myself up over that, but figure it would do little good other than to make me feel bad and take up time I could actually be spending doing a devotional. So, without further rambling...

Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28. The story of Joseph, one of my favorite Old Testament characters. And here kicks off the events of what proves to be a great adventure. An adventure full of trail and torment, to be sure. But knowing the end of the story I have to admit I look forward to it all with a bit of relish.

Yes, in a certain regard Joseph got what he deserved. He was a spoiled child (the favored of his father), and although gifted he unfortunately didn't know that just spouting off what he knew could have the negative effect of really ticking off his brothers. (On a side note I sometimes wonder if this is something common to those who are gifted... it must be difficult not to come across as braggadocios when you're simply being honest about what you know and/or can do. Learning how to temper that so that you don't come across in the wrong way is a difficult skill to master, I'd imagine.) Still, the events that follow after Joseph's brothers decide to sell him off never cease to amaze me. And in particular I'm ever amazed by Joseph's response to everything that happens.

I suppose I relate to Joseph, somewhat... I know a little about what it feels like to have your world come crashing down around you, in ways that are so far beyond your own circumstances and sense of control. In every regard Joseph trusted in God, regardless of the situation. I too made that choice. I confess, I honestly don't know how people who don't have faith make it through the tough times of life. I have no doubt that had it not been for my faith, for God who sustained me by his great grace, that the events of the Fall of 1996 would have destroyed me - if not physically then surely in spirit and mentality. So I look forward to reflecting upon the story of Joseph once again - the trials he will face, the way he will choose to persevere even when he doesn't understand, and the joy that will come when in the end he can say, You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20).