Looks Different

Looks Different

Acts 7: ⁹ “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him ¹⁰ and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. ¹¹ Now a famine and great trouble came over all the land of Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers found no sustenance. ¹² But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent out our fathers first. ¹³ And the second time Joseph was made known to his brothers, and Joseph’s family became known to the Pharaoh. ¹⁴ Then Joseph sent and called his father Jacob and all his relatives to him, seventy-five people. ¹⁵ So Jacob went down to Egypt; and he died, he and our fathers. ¹⁶ And they were carried back to Shechem and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a sum of money from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem.

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Headed to a party, I got excited over the music playing in the car. I sat in the back seat, dancing a little, looking forward to the festivities to come. A friend, who was driving, said “Something looks different.” We drove and drove. Soon my anticipation dance turned into boredom. We were lost, so we headed back.

• There have been times when I did not get a chance to do some things I probably should not have done in the first place.
• There have been times when I tried to go places I should not have been and things looked different.
• There have been times when I got lost because something was different than the path in my head.

Stephen continues with his discourse. He talked about Joseph’s history of being sold into slavery and delivered from many catastrophes by GOD. Stephen used this example for a purpose, to show how greatness looked different.

• GOD has a plan for me that looks different than the one I would choose.
• GOD has a plan for me that sometimes seems difficult but includes HIS great reward.
• GOD has a plan for me that seems like a field of obstacles, but HE is with me.

Greatness looks different to GOD. I mean when the obstacles are too big for me to remove and GOD removes them, I have to rejoice and tell people about HIM. Then, after a while, I realize HE removes the small obstacles I thought I was handling.

GOD’s power looks different than I could ever imaging. Each trouble I get into, I can see HIM there, suffering with me. The ONE who has infinite power, infinite wisdom and is everywhere, stops, sits and cries with me. HE then does something unexpected. HE raises me up at HIS time. I am grateful GOD’s greatness looks different than what I expect.

• Are you desiring something and everything seems to be going wrong?
• Do you think the situation has gotten the best of you and you have nothing left?
• Will you accept the fact that GOD loves you dearly and is with you, even through the difficult times, so HE can make you great in HIS way?