Genesis 42-44
When's the last time you were in one of those "I told you so" moments?
For Joseph, when his brothers bow before him begging for permission to buy food, this is one of those moments. Many years ago, when he was just a boy, he shared a dream with his brothers. The interpretation of his dream was that his brothers would one day bow before him. It was this dream that infuriated his brothers so much so that they sold him into slavery and told their father, Jacob, that his favored son had been killed by a wild animal. Now, after years of struggle, and God's continual divine intervention, Joseph has become the governor of Egypt's financial affairs during a long famine period, and his brothers are bowing before him. It's an "I told you so" moment.
Moments like these are moments when the balance of power is lost between people. If you're the person in the power position it feels really good, even victorious, to be proven right. But, if you're the person in the subordinate position you are powerless, humbled. Situations like these can become critical moments in relationships. How we manage through them can be the difference between making or breaking the bonds that hold us together. It's one thing to be right, but it's an altogether different thing to behave self-righteously. It's one thing to be wrong, even humbled, but its an altogether different thing to be humiliated. How the person in position to say "I told you so" handles this power makes all the difference.
How do you handle those "I told you so" moments?
Joseph handled his particular moment of righteousness with care for his family and with discretion for God's plan. In a climactic conclusion to a long story of justice and reconciliation, Joseph's choices opened up an opportunity for him and his brothers to be reunited. Joseph had faith in God's plan. He was able to see that God was using every event, both good and bad, to bring him and his brothers to this moment when he had the power and they were humbled before him. His faith enabled him to remain humble while in power, and trust in God to ultimately make all things come out right. Had he misused this moment, he would have seized it for his own vindication, and humiliated his brothers. This would have destroyed the chance to reconcile with them. But, in a demonstration of God's love, he remained humble while in power, and trusted God to make things work out right, and they did.
Likewise, on that first Easter morning, Jesus appeared to the disciples and could easily have humiliated them for their lack of faith. He told them numerous times that he would be crucified and on the third day rise again. But, in their unbelief, they were hiding with the door locked. Jesus' first words from his position of power to say "I told you so" was instead, "Peace be with you." His use of power offered peace, not self-righteous vindication, and instead of humiliation, reconciliation is the result.
Does your use of power tend to build up relationships, or do you find that it tends to tear them down?
Lord God, when I am right, keep the temptation to become self-righteous at bay for me. When I am in a position of power or authority use my faith in you to keep me humble that I may trust only in you to make things turn out right. When I am humiliated by others in power over me, be my courage, my patience, and my hope. In Jesus' name. Amen
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