An Interrupted Life

She’s not the kind of girl people look at and feel sorry for. Blonde, blue-eyed, long-limbed, and svelte, she provokes eye rolls, not sympathy, when she tries to explain how difficult it is to find clothes that fit. But as the mom who’s accompanied her on countless unsuccessful shopping excursions, I can validate her claim. She’s also not the kind of girl you’d expect to be worried about getting a date for senior prom either, but up until this past January, I assure you, she was. 

 After a series of pretty disappointing boyfriend contenders throughout her high school career, she had wisely resolved to wait until college before entertaining the idea of further offers. But then, just a few short weeks later, a tall and handsome kindred spirit broke her resolve and won her heart. Now senior prom would be something to look forward to, if only we could survive the dress shopping. 

With courage undaunted, we stepped into our beloved formal dress shop. Sure, there were heavenly dresses aplenty but, would any of them fit? 

“This hasn’t worked for anyone yet, but I think it might just work for you,” the sales lady had said, as magenta fabric materialized before our eyes. With several hopefuls in hand, we made our way to the dressing room. The magical magenta was the first one she tried on. And the last. Our collective jaws dropped. It fit her like a glove. It was absolutely perfect. 

The stars seemed to all be aligned in her favor for senior year. The perfect dress and the perfect date for her senior prom. Not to mention graduation! We were all looking forward to seeing her walk across the stage decorated with evidences of hard-earned honors. There was so much to look forward to. 

But the tiniest microscopic organism brought the big wide world to its knees, and with it, everyone’s plans and expectations. Including hers.

The biblical patriarch Joseph was around my daughter’s age when he began having dreams. Given the nature of the dreams, I think it’s safe to say Joseph had a lot he was looking forward to. (Genesis 37) His dreams pointed to a prominent leadership position with great power. 

But Joseph’s dreams were suddenly, and very dramatically, interrupted one day as he went to check in on his older brothers tending to their father’s flocks. Instead of looking forward to the future, Joseph found himself staring at the dark walls of a damp pit. In just a few short hours, he would be sold into slavery, separated from everything and everyone he’d ever known. None of these events could have been on his radar hours earlier as he walked about on his father’s lands, overlooking his father’s possessions. As his father’s favorite, he had to have believed he was special. Indeed, after those kinds of dreams, he must’ve known that he was destined for greatness. 

Chained to the slave trader’s caravan, it would be over two decades before he would see his family again. Once in Egypt, he would rise from the depths of slavery to managing the entire household of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. And just when there was reason to look forward to the future again, Joseph would be falsely accused, and find himself staring at dark and damp walls again. This time in a prison cell. 

In prison, Joseph was once again elevated to leadership and placed in charge of all the prisoners. It was the best situation for someone in prison, but the fact remained, he was still in prison. A glimmer of hope came in the form of Pharaoh’s imprisoned cupbearer, whose dream Joseph interpreted. And although the cupbearer had promised he would put a good word in for Joseph to Pharaoh, he forgot all about it for two whole years.

 At every turn, Joseph’s plans, and the way he thought things would go, were thwarted. Nothing had turned out the way he expected it to or hoped it would. Abused, rejected, abandoned, betrayed, falsely accused and forgotten—I often wonder if Joseph lost hope.

I’ve been staring at the walls of my home for longer than I’d like. The walls I’m looking at are warm and welcoming, nothing like the walls Joseph had to stare at. Most of my family is still with me, sharing meals, sharing life. I really have nothing to complain about. No serious hardship. 

But the truth is, I’ve been insanely frustrated with the sudden and very dramatic interruption of my plans and my expectations. None of this was on my radar. I bet it wasn’t on yours either. Why God? Why now? How long do we have to wait? How long is life on hold? What is our future going to look like? 

I don’t know if Joseph realized it at first, but all along his interrupted life, God was right there, directing the narrative. He was there when, instead of killing Joseph, his brother’s listened to big brother Reuben, and threw him into a pit instead. God was there when the caravan of traders headed for Egypt just “happened” to pass by. And he saw to Joseph’s success in Potiphar’s home. 

“The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man…the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.” (Genesis 39: 2-3) Even in prison, we see, “But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison…And whatever he did, the LORD made it succeed.” 

God jogged the memory of the cupbearer at a timely moment, and Joseph is summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s harrowing dreams. Enabled by God, Joseph not only interprets the dreams but sets up Egypt’s survival plan for enduring the famine. Ultimately, we see Joseph in the position that his dreams foretold: In charge of all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. 

Even in what seemed to be disappointing suspensions to would-be successes in Joseph’s life, God was allowing it all for His glory and the good of Joseph, his family, the Hebrews and countless others in the ancient world staring at the dark reality of a seven-year famine. Through multiple hardships, God was shaping and preparing Joseph, moving hearts, and setting the stage for His redemptive work. 

Later in the story, during a conversation with his brothers, whose jealousy altered the course of his life, we witness the perspective Joseph developed on his interrupted life:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:20)

The Covid-19 pandemic is a devastating mess. It has altered the course of so many lives and so many nations. It’s halted jobs, schedules, plans, and dreams. On a smaller, but relatable scale, it’s brought disappointment to those of us who were anticipating a very different spring. No one likes to be interrupted.

But what if we view all the mess through the lens of Joseph’s life? What if we trust that every altered course, every halted dream and every disappointment is meant for good? That God is doing a great redemptive work in our midst? Let’s remember His faithful goodness. And let’s welcome the interruption with hope, trusting that ultimately, He’s up to something far better than what we had planned.