I’m always amazed when I read Joseph’s words for his brothers who tried to kill him: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20). Redemption: to rescue or ransom from a life-threatening situation. I love a good redemption story!

WHERE WAS THE REDEEMER OF THE BROKEN?

I once had a boss who had no filter on his anger. Every time an opportunity arrived, he erupted in anger. Yet for years, I clung to working in that job because my finances were tight and I carried the medical insurance. What was the kicker was that I loved my previous career as a music educator. For months, every day as I drove to my new job, I wept because I missed teaching. Life was brutal. Was I just kindling, on its path to the furnace? I forgot that God is the Redeemer of the Broken. He is the Rescuer.

THE REDEEMER’S HAND AT WORK

Do you think that Joseph sometimes forgot that God is the Redeemer of the Broken? Betrayed and sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph’s brothers hated him. Later, while serving faithfully in Egypt, Potiphar’s wife falsified charged against Joseph. He ended up in prison. Yet God still worked in Joseph’s story. In God’s perfect timing, He raised Joseph to become the second-in-command under Pharaoh. The Redeemer’s hand was at work.

REDEEMING EVEN THE MOST PAINFUL CHAPTERS

Take a minute and reflect. God was at work all the time. What others meant for evil, God used for good. Joseph’s story reminds us that God can redeem even the most painful chapters of our lives. God is the Redeemer.

TERRIFIED BY FEAR

When life throws us painful curveballs, I know how easy it is to forget Who God is. During that season, I lived in fear. Terrified of my boss, terrified of our finances, terrified of losing the job I hated, and terrified of trusting God. God can redeem even the worst. He redeemed me.

“SECURITY” AT WHAT PRICE?

One Friday, I came home from that job and realized I had no more to give. My health was suffering, depression was constant, and I absolutely dreaded Mondays because that was the beginning of the work week. What price was I paying for my dream of “security”? Was this even God’s definition of security?

CUTTING THE CORD

After praying with Bill, I cut the cord. I wrote my letter of resignation and sent it in before I could second-guess myself. It was one of the best things I have ever done. Within two weeks of leaving that job, COVID hit. The place where I had worked erupted in chaos (as many financial institutions found themselves). Yet I was now at home, safely removed from the tumult. God redeemed my life.

Redemption doesn’t always happen on our timeline, and it doesn’t always look the way we imagined. But God has a way of bringing beauty from brokenness, hope from sorrow, and purpose from pain.