Joseph, His Technicolor Coat, and Assault

[This below is modified, to include faith elements, from an email I sent to employees at companies I serve as a corporate chaplain for CCA.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat  “is over-the-top, silly, and reminiscent of a Monty Python sketch in the form of musical theatre. Loosely based on passages from the Bible (the book of Genesis), Joseph is the story of a man sold into slavery and finds himself imprisoned in Egypt. During a lengthy time behind bars he discovers an ability to interpret dreams. He then quickly becomes second-in-charge to the Pharaoh and leads the Egyptian people through famine.” Source and Genesis 37-45.

Most of you have heard of it and may have seen the production. Note: Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, wrongly accused, imprisoned, and in the end was elevated to the 2nd most powerful person in Egypt. He was put in charge of food and was able to provide for his people, the Israelites, during the famine. And he forgave his brothers! That’s the story. The story is God’s providential care for His people and it’s about forgiveness.

It seems that he only later discovered some purpose in his mistreatment…so that he could help others. That was probably hard to see at the time. In all that happened to Joseph, God still (and always) has a plan.

Recently I listened to a podcast about a woman, Karen, who was sexually assaulted 25 years ago. She told her story (terrifying) and how she later became an advocate for victims of assault and helps train people in how to assist in the investigations. It’s apparent she is doing a lot of good for victims.

At the end she said, “I am able to look back and realize this didn't happen because of something I did, but because of all I would do.” She refused to play the victim, though she was surely victimized. She sought to redeem what happened to her so she could help others.

Forgiveness. Finding a way to help others. Joseph in Egypt and Karen in America. Whatever you’ve faced, forgiveness is available and opportunities to help others are as well.

Do you know this Jesus? Read more here about how to know Him, and be able to truly find, give forgiveness, and serve others.