Joe watched his secretary leave, the last of his staff to leave the room. He was in the most crucial moment of his life and he did not want his staff to see him like this. He knew he was going to be a mess and he did not have a lot of time even though he felt he needed some air. To think some people believe public figures have their lives a bed of roses. Well, this one had been wetting the pillow on his bed of roses for the past one week. The thought made him chuckle even as the first tear dropped in surrender down his face.
His visitors started to look even more confused than they did initially, when they were brought into his office. They were the only ones left in the room with him and he was crying. Of course, anyone one would be confused given the circumstances, but he did not care how crazy he looked at the moment. He took another look at his little brother, Ben and he involuntarily began to shake. Ben did not recognize him. How could he? They were not given a chance to know each other- to play hide and seek, to be best teenage buddies, before Joe was taken away. Oh, this hurt deeper than he ever imagined. Heck, even his big brothers did not recognize him. He was not sure if it was because he had changed physically or if it was because his big brothers could not in their wildest dreams imagine he could be in this position. They hoped he was dead or best case, he was an undocumented immigrant barely making ends meet. But, prime minister? Now that was too much, even for movies. He literally had to pinch himself sometimes. He still did not look it with his body still adjusting to freedom after doing time for the most part of the last decade. Anyway, that was a story for another day.
He had been through a lot in his life, more than most people could bear. Daddy’s pet, slave, chief of staff, alleged rapist, prisoner and now prime minister. Talk about ups and downs. So why did this moment make those years of trouble look like child’s play? It really shouldn’t. In all he had been through, he had maintained his integrity and relationship with God. By every standard, he was a good guy. He was kind, sensitive to people’s needs, proactive, respectful, handsome, talented and loyal. But this…this was different. God was taking him through uncharted territory. Nothing like he had imagined. The rubber had finally met the road on his journey of forgiveness. Now he stared at it face to face. A mighty giant, in the form of eleven confused men.
“Ahhhhhh!” He was practically shrieking. He heard some movement behind the door and realized his staff must have heard him but he really couldn’t care less at this point. He feared God and always wanted to obey Him but there was that little part of him that considered revenge. He knew what God wanted him to do but he was tempted to entertain another thought. Logically, he had every right to do things the natural human way. Come on, he had earned the right. His brothers did him dirty. They kidnapped him and abandoned him to die. If his story ever became public, most people would root for him to #pepperdem #revengebody #showdem. After all, no one could stop him now. He’s all the way up! Started from the bottom, now he was here. Prime minister!
“Ahhhhhh!” he was sobbing now. No, he would not give room for that thought. He had to forgive them. Indeed what the devil meant for evil, God turned it around for good. He took a moment to think about his life. If his brothers had not kidnapped and abandoned him, he would not have been sold into slavery. If he had not been a slave, he would not have become the chief of staff at his employer’s house. If he had not been chief of staff, crazy as it seems, he would not have been falsely accused of rape and sentenced to prison. If he had not been in prison, he would not have met his fellow inmate, the king’s butler. If he had not met the butler, he would not have met the king and if he had not solved the king’s dilemma, he would not have become the prime minister.
Pheeeew! That was a long journey but everything worked together for good. Yet, instead of taking the opportunity to gloat, God was showing him yet a bigger picture. God put him in this position, not to gloat but to save his family. They were in a global economic recession. Things were difficult, immigration inclusive. It would take someone in his position to bring his whole family into the country- the only country prepared for the recession.
He shook his head in the midst of the tears. His guests were now in a state of panic, contemplating whether to call for help. He still was not bothered by the scene he was causing. If only they knew what was going on in his head. He took a moment to talk to God. I see what you did there. You had this all planned out, didn’t you? Classic God!
For the first time in the last hour, he was stable enough to speak. He sighed in surrender as he stood up and took a few heavy steps towards his guests. He took another deep breath before he said. “Hi. I’m Joseph…your brother. Is Dad still alive?” Before he could look round to take in the reactions of his brothers, he did what God had been waiting all day for him to do. He stretched his arms out and added, “Come. Give me a hug”.
Reference- Genesis 45
