22 Joseph stayed in Egypt, along with all his father’s family. He lived a hundred and ten years
Old age is viewed with a strange split personality. We often say we don’t want to get old, but then when someone is old and functioning well, we say it is amazing. We celebrate the oldest in our society, but often relegate them to a nursing home and rarely visit them. We only want old people around, if they are “high functioning” and able to care for themselves. If they crimp our lifestyle at all, we find ways to move them out of our sight. Up until about 50 years ago, most old people stayed in the home until they died. Family and friends were around, and they had the opportunity to enrich the lives of those who came in contact with them. They enriched by what they gave to others, and by giving others the opportunity to give to them. Serving others is an enriching experience. When we see the weak as a burden on us, we miss out on great opportunities to learn the power of service. Service of others at our expense enriches our lives. It helps us see that the world is bigger than we are, and that we are not the center of everything. So often the problem with people is that they have never learned to serve others. They have only learned to be served. Selfishness is a cancer on the spirit. We can never receive the grace of God if we think we are the most important person around, if we believe we can do it on our own. Joseph was sold by his brothers out of jealousy into slavery. I allowed the experience to mold and shape his character to become more humble and Godly. He recognized his role in his family’s life and knew that God had simply used him to accomplish His purpose. What is your limited role in God’s plan? Remember, what is important is not your plan, but God’s plan.
The Arnold Journey 