Robe-less

“As long as he was wearing the Robe, Joseph could never enter into community with his brothers. As long as he was wearing the Robe, Joseph would never know what he was capable of under adversity. As long as he was wearing the Robe, Joseph would never understand that God is enough even when you have lost everything.” ~ John Ortberg

I was reading more from Ortberg’s book today. He was talking about what the Robe-less Joseph might have experienced. While he was jailed, Joseph saw that his cellmates were dejected and asked why. He reached out in compassion. He was rewarded by the one who would be returned to his office and promised that he would speak well of Joseph, in the hopes of getting him released. Joseph waited a long time but to no avail. He had no fancy wardrobe to distract him from the needs of others, but it also meant he had no power to do anything differently. Here in prison, he was ordinary and needed to depend on God alone.

Ortberg compares Joseph’s story with another well-known tale about George Bailey, in the favourite Christmas movie, It’s a Wonderful Life. Bailey had dreams too—of traveling the world and doing great things but suddenly realizes that he is stuck in a small town in a small life. In the end, thanks to a persistent angel, George realizes that his life did matter.

When was the last time you felt as if—or maybe you really had—lost everything? You stood robe-less and needed to know that the Lord was with you, showing you steadfast love, just as in these two stories. Those are scary moments, according to Ortberg, of seeing the wind once you have stepped out onto the water and away from the boat. It is a fearful reality of knowing that you will surely perish unless God does something. May you feel Christ’s firm grip on your wrist.

Peace,

Suzanne