Opening All Kinds of Portals

 

And now do not be distressed

or angry with yourselves

because you sold me here,

for God sent me before you

            to preserve life...

So it was not you

who sent me here,

                 but God.

          Genesis 45. 5, 8

We may be swallowed up

by regrets,

but God redeems

even our messing up.

He uncovers His ultimate glory

and prevailing purposes 

      despite us,

in things and ways

   we cannot fathom.

Joseph forgave his brothers

      some really hard stuff.

Forgiveness 

  always opens all kinds of portals

   for God's goodness 

   and an incredible story of redemption.

We cannot make this stuff up,

                      but God.

O LORD,

I am so sorry

   for what I have done

   and what I have left undone.

I am swallowed by regrets

     but bring them before You.

Help me to not be hampered

           by so many what if's

but to go forth forgiven

  and empowered

      to follow You

      into what is now.

I cannot rewind,

  but You redeem

          the brokenness.

Find us faithful.

Surprise us by Your new creation

  coming even out of ashes,

pushing back the darkness

and helping us once again 

   to witness Your Presence here.

It is not in us, but You, O God.