Looking for God

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​Have you noticed that when you buy a new car and take it home, you begin to see that car everywhere? Or when you finally take the plunge on a new pair of jeans you’ve been eyeing at Target – suddenly everyone and your mom are wearing them?

We recently upgraded our family vehicle. The first time I drove it to the park, a parade of similar models pulled in right behind me. Apparently gray SUVs are the membership card of millennial mamas everywhere. High five to you if you’re in the club! Those new things that were once a novelty, the car and the jeans, become familiar and all of a sudden you start to spot them everywhere.

​As we’re nearing the end of Genesis, Joseph steps onto the scene. So far, we’ve seen God begin to fulfill two of his promises to Abraham, to have a land and a family.

Now, in the Joseph saga we’ll see the first glimpses of this family becoming a blessing to the nations. But in order to get there, Joseph is going to endure some hard years. He’ll be betrayed, sold into slavery, set up, put in prison, and forgotten. It seems like he just can’t catch a break.

​And yet, if we look at the details of this story, we see God clearly at work:

• Joseph was wandering to find his brothers and “by chance” was given directions by a stranger (Gen 37:15). 
• Two of his jealous brothers have ideas that keep Joseph from death (Gen 37:22, 26). 
• He is bought and granted favor in the house of a prominent Egyptian (Gen 39:1). 
• In withstanding the advances of his master’s wife, Joseph is falsely accused and imprisoned – but not executed (Gen 39:20). 
• In prison, Joseph again is granted favor and connects with one of Pharaoh’s officers who will eventually recommend him to interpret Pharaoh’s disturbing dream (Gen 39: 21, 40:13, 41: 9-13). 
• Giving all the credit to God, Joseph interprets the dream, offers wise counsel on how to proceed, and is given a title, prestige, and honor (Gen 41: 14-44). 

 
We could easily attribute some of these happenings to Joseph’s determination, integrity, and hard work. Some, we could say, were the evil works of others, and some sheer coincidence. But what if we gave God the credit? God doesn’t deal in coincidence or serendipity; He works in providence and sovereignty. Even in the midst of the hard, behind the scenes God’s hand is all over Joseph’s story. His hand is all over history. Sister, His hand is all over your story too. And what a relief it is to know that God is walking through this life by your side.
 
As you are going about your life, look for Him. The more we look for God, the more we will see Him. Just like that car or pair of jeans, He becomes familiar and we begin to spot His handprints everywhere. Take a hard look at your story. Dig into your history. Can you see Him? Can you catch a glimpse of the creator of the universe at work in your life even amidst your biggest struggles?  What about today, moment by moment? Do you see Him providing you with the strength to get up in the morning, with the ability to speak kindness to your children, with peace as you make decisions for your family?  
 
If you are having trouble finding Him, pray for that insight. Ask a friend or spouse to help. Grab your journal and write it down. May God reveal Himself to you today and may you find wonder, and peace knowing He is near and that He cares for you.

​Memory Verse: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:17-18 

Meet the Author

Hi, my name is Jess Ridgeway. I live in almost Heaven West Virginia with my husband of 10 years and our two toddlers, Simon and Eliza. Besides chasing children, I enjoy reading, sitting outside in the sunshine, and drinking hot coffee. I am so amazed and grateful for the way God has and continues to change my life through his Word. The Bible is alive and active and I just want to shout from the rooftops, "read your Bible!" My desire is to see women excited to dig into the Word, getting to know their Lord and Savior in new and deeper ways.