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"Father, show me where I fit into this plan of yours", Card imagines what looms largest in Joseph's concerns. "Lord, for all my life I've been a simple carpenter; how can I raise a king... How can I raise a king?"
Yes, how can he, if it's up to him alone? But that's the point isn't it.
Each and every believer has been joined to God through Jesus and possesses God's sanctifying spirit, which now acts to employ in the Christian, a new way of thinking and a transformed way of living. And that's not all, every believer has been fitted with specific areas of giftedness, for most that means a color palette of multiple vistas, illuminating new abilities meant to be applied to the drab surroundings of the world around us and the walls of the local church. As an adult Bible School teacher I know noted recently, the possibilities are endless and the need is great.
The bigger question for some surrounds the implementation of the transaction rather than the reality of its existence. They want to be involved, and they cannot conceive of a relationship with Jesus that does not include the opportunity to express a thankful heart in areas of worship and service.
The great disappointment to God must be for those, content not to ask that question of themselves, who become illiterate to the outworking of his plan. Our God, who desires full employment in his church, must see those who are functionally or fully A.W.O.L from service and be grieved over the apparent lack of interest, or lack of commitment to love him with all of their hearts.
The truth is, none of us are any better than Joseph, whatever our occupation. We are at best "simple carpenters" tasked with building the Eiffel Tower, and our greatest blessing is that God would call us to himself, save us, and then enable, equip, and engage us in the service of his kingdom. Is there really anything else in our lives that rises to that level of importance. Be careful. Your job, your school, your kids, and even your spouse are not the right answer?
How can YOU raise a king? You can"t. But God can and asks us to come alongside His Son for the greatest adventure of our lives. And I can tell you. Joseph was never disappointed, and we won't either...