The Ultimate multitasker is God Himself. I heard a sermon recently based on the story of Joseph and his bad behaving brothers. They had sold their brother Joseph into a life of slavery and as a result, Joseph had all kinds of character-building experiences. Now, after years of suffering and setbacks, Joseph becomes second in command over all of Egypt.
Meanwhile, back in the land of Canaan, Joseph’s family was running out of grain and they were desperate. This leads to Joseph’s brothers (all but the youngest) journeying to Egypt, where they meet their brother Joseph who was the person overseeing the distribution of the grain to all those in need.
After the long trip to Egypt, the brothers meet Joseph, but none of them recognize him. Joseph sure recognized them though! After a deal is set and money is exchanged, one brother is forced to stay behind in prison until the youngest brother is brought to Egypt for a meet and greet. There are lots of details I am leaving out, but one thing is clear in this entire narrative: God is doing way more than any of them realize.
The brothers were overcome with despair when one of them found his silver at the top of his bag. “At the place where they lodged for the night, one of them opened his sack to get feed for his donkey, and he saw his silver in the mouth of the sack. “My silver has been returned!” he said to his brothers. “It is here in my sack. “Their hearts sank, and trembling, they turned to one another and said, “What is this that God has done to us?” Genesis 42: 27-28
When they sold their brother into slavery, and even when Joseph put that silver back in their bags, God was at work, laying tracks for His plan. His people would be provided for; Jacob would be reunited with his boy and even meet 2 of his grandsons.
Even in our own lives, we are experiencing things that we do not realize, it is not just one thing that God is accomplishing, but many. Some which will not come to fullness for years.
I was reminded of this in my own life, years ago, when I bought my first car. I had two different ministry opportunities, and I said to God: “if you want me in Manitoba, then I need to find a car for $100”, as that is all I had. If I didn’t find a car, I would move back to Ontario where my family was.
As it turned out, I found a car in Poplar Point Manitoba. The guy was asking $1000 for this blue car (a Comet, for those of you wondering!). I told him I only had $100 and he said that would be fine. When we left that town, I thought to myself that I would never want to live in this town.
As a result of buying my $100 car, I met my husband the following year. When we got married, we ended up living in that very town, and that guy who sold us the $100 car would end up becoming our pastor, and his wife would become one of my dear friends.
I thought all I was doing was buying a car.
God multitasks in our lives as He is the all-powerful and wise God. His purposes go forward and not always in the ways we imagine. He works things out His way and in His time. We can’t rush it as much as we would like to. God loves us and knows exactly what we need and that is great news!
Dear Father,
Thank You for loving us and the plans You are sorting out even at this moment in my life, though, I do not even realize it! Thank You for Your love and Your hand that leads and guides me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen