They told him, “Joseph is still alive! In fact, he is ruler of all Egypt.” Jacob was stunned; he did not believe them. Genesis 45:26
What a day! There were so many people and I wasn’t even sure what I’d be seeing. There was a hope like no other, expectancy in the air. A show was about to be performed telling the story of Joseph from the Bible. Teaching of dreams and wisdom. Showing there’s possibility even when it seems like everything and everyone is against you including family and people you trusted.
I’ve heard wonderful things about the productions that were performed in this beautiful theater, but it was our first time attending. I was there with my hubby and boys, and I wasn’t quite sure how they’d react. They aren’t big fans of sitting around while watching the action going on around them. They’d much rather be a part of the action!
Within the first couple scenes, they were hooked! It actually felt like we were part of that action with the big, gorgeous horses coming down the isles, the bright, beautiful birds beside us, and the wonderful views of everything. We learn and grow so much from the Bible. It’s one of the books that fills us up with the supernatural. We’re in action when we’re reading the Bible…we’re growing, we’re learning, we’re even having a conversation! At that moment we had the best of both worlds…the Bible and seeing it come to life.
That’s one of the things that I want to tell you about today. Are you reading to learn and grow (action) or are you reading to escape your reality? I LOVE to read, but I felt that it was taking up my time the exact same way television can do nothing more than take up time when we could actually be living. When we get out and experience life we grow.
When I was reading, I felt like I was being told that it should be in order for me to grow rather than “escape” for a while. I believe there isn’t anything wrong with reading purely for enjoyment occasionally, but it can’t be taking away from us living the life God meant for us to live. I think I was being scolded by God a little…
As we were getting out to do something quite out of our normal realm, we learned and grew by opening our hearts to an art that put us amongst the pages of a book. That is where a story happened many years ago, but is so relevant in our lives today. It was seen so thoroughly, that my boys could give a detailed account of Joseph’s life still today.
It made us actively think about how Joseph must have been so devastated to feel the hatred of his brothers, yet have God give him the courage to forgive, accept, help, and love them in return. We learned so much about hope and never giving up that evening. We learned that God never abandons us and always has a plan. We learned that great things come out of devastating situations. We also learned that no relationship is too damaged to mend.
I challenge you to put down the remote or the book where you’re only living someone else’s life without learning anything and exchange it for a life that is action based. Action that opens the door for growth and opportunity, giving God room to direct the scenes. Without action, there’s no growth.
You see…we can read a book that grows us, but if it doesn’t lead to action on our part, why waste time? Read for growth, then take action!
