03.27.14

Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt. - Genesis 37:28.　

So Joseph made ready his chariot and went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel; and he presented himself to him, and fell on his neck and wept on his neck a good while. - Genesis 46:29.　

This morning I am waiting, waiting while my computer performs some checks and installs updates. It is taking far longer than I thought and I am not happy about that! So while I am waiting, I am writing this devotional on my kindle. Waiting, no one really likes to wait unless you are waiting for something bad to happen. Even if you are waiting for something bad to happen, often you would like to hurry up time so the waiting would be over. The waiting for Mary Virginia Jones is finally over after 32 years in prison. Mary was wrongly convicted, but now she is free, free, free at last!　

While Mary was incarcerated she quickly became a spiritual leader and gave those in prison with her much hope. One of the women that she gave hope to shared this, "She taught us how to walk the walk and keep the faith. She had a light that just shined." Mary's daughter, Denitra Jones-Goodie said that her mother always believed she would be released, and says "She's got strength on top of strength."　

Mary's story reminds me of Joseph who was also wrongly imprisoned. Joseph's captivity began when his brothers sold him into slavery, and did not end until many decades later. It ended when Joseph was finally reunited and reconciled with his family. 　

Taking these two stories into consideration, when was the work of God, the serving of God being done? It is obvious in both situations that the serving and the work of God was being performed during the waiting. We know with Joseph that God had more for him to do, and I am sure that God has much more for Mary to do too, during her freedom.　

This brings us to you and me. Does God have you in a spiritual holding pattern? You know there will be so much joy when the waiting is finally over, why doesn't God make this time go faster? Maybe God doesn't make the time you are waiting shorter for the same reasons that He didn't for Joseph and Mary Jones. While Mary was waiting, God has used her to point many women that the world would have said were worthless to new lives in Christ of immeasurable value. Those lives that God has touched through Mary will touch countless other lives with God's transforming love. While Joseph was waiting, what did God do through it? God through Joseph made the preparations necessary to save both the Egyptians and the Hebrews.　

What is it that God is doing through your life while you are waiting? While I was waiting this morning, I wrote this devotional, and I pray that God will accomplish His purposes in the lives of all who take the time to read it. May God speak to your heart...