Offenses, Forgiveness, and Purpose

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good.  He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. [Genesis 50.19-20]

If ever there was a good attitude displayed, this one is it!  Joseph could easily have held a tremendous grudge against his brothers for their treatment of him years before.  However, Joseph was not looking at the past but at the present.  Joseph could see clearly that his troubles had been a necessary route on the path that God used to not just preserve Joseph, but to use him to preserve generations!

I personally cannot imagine what it took to arrive at Joseph's good attitude.  Forgiveness is something not easily mustered and yet Joseph appeared to have no ill feelings about the events that caused him great grief.

But it wasn't just his brothers who dealt him misery.  There was Potiphar's wife!  I only wish the Bible gave some clue as to what occurred in that situation post-prison for Joseph.  However, the Bible is silent about it and one can only assume that, as Joseph forgave his brothers and realized it was all for a higher purpose, so he must have forgiven this wicked woman.  Who knows?  Perhaps it was in dealing with the situation with Mrs. Potiphar that Joseph was prepared to reunite with his brothers and deal with their situation.  One can only imagine.

One thing remains true though - Joseph forgave.  He did so because he chose to look at the big picture.  He did so because, for whatever reason, he felt a sense of purpose in his life that could only be accomplished and realized through the course of events that took place - including slavery and imprisonment.

I think that perhaps forgiveness is closely tied to purpose.  In other words, the more in tune one is with their purpose in life, the easier it is to forgive.  That's just a thought.  Furthermore, it could also be observed that a person who is unforgiving is also aimless in life.  Is that a valid observation?

Here's another pondering:  When we are used and abused by others, could that abuse be the very indicator that there is in fact a higher purpose in our lives to which God is directing us?  If that even 'could be' the case, why not then focus on that higher purpose instead of being dragged down in unforgiveness thus hindering us by distracting us from the very will of God?  

What if great offenses only signaled great purpose?

Man, if we could just get this forgiveness thing right!

Father, I have seen a great correlation here today between offenses, forgiveness, and purpose.  I have seen the need to release offenses as a catalyst to realize  purpose.  Help me to review my life and the offenses I have encountered to see what realized or potential purpose is or may be attached!