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“Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-paneah; and he gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, as his wife. Thus Joseph gained authority over the land of Egypt. Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” Genesis 41:45-46a, NRSV

What do you want to be when you grow up? This is a question we often ask kids. And the answers are fun. Ask a high school or college student and it can be more anxiety producing because they are worrying about what to do with themselves when they imminently enter the big wide world.

What did you think you wanted to be when you grew up? What kind of life did you expect to lead? Are you on the path you thought you would be on? Did things turn out pretty much as you expected? Or have things unfolded differently? Is your life going in an unexpected direction?

Joseph was from a large family of shepherds with huge flocks living a semi nomadic life in the land of Canaan. He could never have imagined living in Egypt letting alone being in charge of the farming and crops for an entire country, being the second in command after Pharaoh, and being married to an Egyptian woman.

Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way we expect them to. This may happen because we need to be doing things with our lives that we had not anticipated. New circumstances and directions appear and we know it is what we are supposed to do. Sometimes things don’t turn out as we expect because we make a mess of things. We make poor choices and get into trouble and find ourselves derailed from what we intended. Sometimes we may know what we are being called to but we simply say no or ignore what we know. Through the course of our lives, we may find ourselves in each of these situations, looking back.

Joseph did the best he could under the circumstances. He shows an adaptability, an acceptance of where his life takes him. And whatever state he is in, he finds God, trusts God, and lets his light shine so that others see God in him.

There are some who believe that Jesus knew what was in store for him from the beginning. They beleive that he knew he would face opposition, be betrayed, face an unfair trial, and suffer a humiliating, excruciating death through crucifixion. Some believe Jesus knew his whole life’s path from his birth, or certainly from his baptism on. For me, it makes Jesus stronger and more impressive in his moral imagination to think that he was choosing over and over and over again the way of love, healing, and reconciliation without specifically knowing what the outcome would be. For me, it makes Jesus more of a model I am challenged to follow to think that he did not know what the future would hold. He was like us, trying to discern God’s will and live by it. And he did it and got it right over and over again. He trusted God and did not falter. For me, that way of looking at Jesus is more inspiring and makes a deeper impression.

Lent is a time to think about how we may be resisting something or ignoring something. A tug, a pull in our lives. Maybe it’s a time to let go of something and free ourselves to take a new path. To trust and be surprised.

Prayer
Each day dawns with new possibilities. We may think we know what’s ahead. But changes come. Circumstances present themselves that were unanticipated. What does not change is Divine Love working in the world and in our lives for the good of all. May we release our imaginary control and trust. Amen.

“Removing his signet ring from his hand, Pharaoh put it on Joseph’s hand; he arrayed him in garments of fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck.”  Genesis 41:42, NRSV

This week we witnessed another presidential candidate debate. And it was fiery. And, as usual, the topic of immigration was talked (yelled) about. In addition, this week Former Mexican President Vicente Fox got into the act with choice words for Donald Trump who gave it right back to him. The wall will be 10 feet higher. Maybe all the candidates should watch the 2004 movie “A Day Without a Mexican.” In this movie, Californians awaken to the discover that everyone of Hispanic heritage has inexplicably disappeared. It could definitely influence one’s thinking on immigration policy. And does the US really want hostile relations with our neighbor on our southern border? It’s one thing to be at odds with a country across the ocean. It’s quite another to be in a contentious relationship with the country next door or across the river.

What does it mean to be foreign? To be considered an alien? To be an outsider? The film “Charlie’s Country” was shown this week at the Eckerd College Environmental Film Festival. The movie takes place in Australia. At one point, a white person, clearly of European descent, refers to Charlie, an aboriginal person, indigenous to Australia, as a foreigner. Wow! Talk about losing perspective.

I was born in the US, as were my parents. And I consider myself mainstream American. But there are times, like when listening to some of the recent political tirading, that I feel like I am an outsider, a foreigner in this, the land of my birth. I don’t feel that I belong or fit in with much of what I hear. Do these candidates really not realize that there are hardworking, decent, citizens of America who believe a woman should have access to a legal, safe abortion paid for by her health insurance plan? If someone is against abortion, don’t have one. That should be respected. Where is our respect for differences even within the mainstream American population let alone with regard to those who are “foreign”?

In the story of Joseph, we see that Joseph is sold into slavery and taken to a foreign land. In Egypt, he is an alien. He is of a different culture, religion, and language than the Egyptians. He worships a different God. Yet as the story proceeds, Joseph rises to being the number two man in Egypt. It is not held against him that he is foreign and a victim of human trafficking. His background and difference do not impede his being entrusted with power and authority. Evidently, he is judged, to use the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by the content of his character. Imagine that!

Prayer
In this season of Lent, we examine our character. May we endeavor to see humanity as one family. May we strive to eradicate our prejudices, stereotypes, and privilege that separate us from each other. May we grow in our respect for those who are not like we are and learn from them. And like Joseph, may all see God in us. And may we see God in everyone. Amen.

“The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find anyone else like this – one in whom is the spirit of God?’ So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has shown you all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command; only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.’ And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.’” Genesis 41:37-41, NRSV

When I began as a pastor, some 30 years ago, the church, in general, was more hierarchical and structured. Often someone in the congregation wanted something to happen in the life of the church and the pastor(s), staff, and appropriate committees got to work to implement what was desired by the congregation.

I don’t know what it is like in other congregations, but at LUCC, if you want to see something go on, you are welcome to bring it up and get involved. Typically, someone else is not going to do it for you. You want to see change, then address yourself to it. And invite others to get on board.

I have learned from our congregation that if I am going to suggest something or share an idea in a group I am involved with, then I also need to commit myself to being involved and working on it. I can’t expect someone else to do it. So, if I open my mouth about something, I make sure I am ready to roll up my sleeves.

In the story of Joseph, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream. The interpretation includes the recommendation that Egypt prepare for the 7 years of drought by stock piling grain during the preceding 7 years of plenty. Pharaoh likes this plan, laid out by Joseph, and assigns Joseph to carrying it out. So, Joseph goes from prison to chief of staff in one day!

Lent is a time to consider the dreams we are being given and where we are being called to devote our energies, our passion, our money, and our time. And if we really pay attention, we might find ourselves facing significant change!

Prayer
May we open our hearts to God’s hopes and dreams and accept that we are being called to get involved. This is what it means to follow Jesus. Amen.

“The seven years of plenty that prevailed in the land of Egypt came to an end; and the seven years of famine began to come, just as Joseph had said.” Genesis 41:53

This week, I, along with several others from the church, have been attending the Environmental Film Festival at Eckerd College. When it comes to the environment, many people just see the bad news. Not seven years of famine, but simply a downward, irreversible trend. This leads many to apathy and depression. It’s too big a problem. It’s too far gone. There’s nothing that can be done.

These films have presented an alternative view. A view of hope. Yes, they document the problems, but they also encourage responses that are realistic and practical. There are many facets to environmental problems. Some people see that as an excuse to do nothing. It’s too complex. It’s so involved. It’s too much work. You can’t make a difference. But the other side of that is, everyone can do something. If you aren’t ready to become a vegetarian, you can drive an electric car. Can’t give up tuna? Ok. Maybe you can install solar panels on your house. Too much to deal with? You can advocate and do something like call your state senators about fracking. Or recycle something. Or pick up trash on the street. Or turn the water off while you are brushing your teeth. Or turn the a/c up a degree. Everybody can do something. This is something that can bring us together. Or it can tear us apart. It depends on us.

The situation of plenty and famine in Joseph was a cataclysm. Instead of just bemoaning things, Joseph came up with a plan and stored grain for the lean years. Then when the people were starving, the state had bread for them. This was due to Joseph’s foresight, planning, and leadership.

The story also reminds us that there is a constructive role for the state in addressing disasters as well as the individual. The environment is a disaster and we should expect leaders on every level to be doing all they can to respond with creativity and ingenuity and passion.

Bad circumstances can draw forth the best of the human spirit. We certainly see this most clearly in the life of Jesus.

Prayer
When times are tough, may we respond out of hope and not fear or despair. We can trust God. Joseph and Jesus did. Amen.

“There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt. After them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; the famine will consume the land. The plenty will no longer be known in the land because of the famine that will follow, for it will be very grievous.” Genesis 41:29-31, NRSV

How do we deal with looming bad news? Pharaoh has two dreams which Joseph interprets as a warning about an upcoming famine. Pharaoh could dismiss this interpretation. He could deny what he has been told about the future. After all, as they say, “Denial is a river in Egypt.” Pharaoh could easily dismiss Joseph’s abilities and accuracy because he doesn’t like the content. This happens all the time, too.

When there is doom ahead, we can deny it. We can ignore it. We can put our head in the sand. We can refute it. I suspect this is what lots of smokers do every time they light up. This applies in our personal lives but with social and political trends as well. People going along, ignoring the calamity ahead. Ignore the aging infrastructure of a city, and you get a water crisis like Flint, Michigan. Another glaring example is climate change and sea level rise. Many outright deny the calamity ahead. Others acknowledge the problem, but postpone taking the drastic steps needed to address it.

Ignoring unpalatable events ahead doesn’t make them go away.

Pharaoh listens to Joseph’s interpretation, and then follows Joseph’s recommendations to prepare for the famine. In this way, disaster is mitigated for Egypt.

Lent might be a time to think about the bad news ahead that we have been ignoring. It may be a time to come to terms with a looming difficult situation that needs our attention, but that we have been pushing aside. It may be a time to come out of our denial and take matters in hand. Jesus had 40 days in the wilderness to give things a good, hard look. Lent is a time to come clean and be honest.

Prayer
We are masters of deception. We deceive ourselves. And we deceive others. We ignore or discount the things we don’t want to see, especially in ourselves. It is so much easier to see the sliver in someone else’s eye than the log in our own. This Lenten season, may we turn aside from our deception and denial, knowing that Love awaits us. Amen.