Who's to blame? Does it matter?

Does trouble need an invitation? James Moore opens his third chapter in "I Hear Voices...." by telling us that trouble visits where it pleases and stays as long it cares to. Murphy's Law is that, if things can go wrong; they will go wrong; at the worst possible time. O'Toole's Rule is that Murphy was an optimist. Moore's example is the story of Joseph in Genesis 50. Joseph is the favorite son of a wealthy man. He has everything that his heart could desire. He is probably a brat; at least, his eleven brothers think so. Joseph flaunts his stuff to the brothers and tells them that his dreams foretell them will bowing down to him. Too much information! They intend to kill him, but it is easier and more profitable to sell him into slavery. Moore explores the question of who caused this: The brothers' jealousy? The Father's favoritism? Joseph's attitude? As usual, there is shared responsibility, but Moore says it really doesn't matter. The rub comes when we spend too much time trying to fix blame and too little time trying to fix the problem. The real issue, is the way we respond to the problem. In this case, Joseph grows up on the way to Egypt. The Father grieves. The brothers celebrate the peace and quiet of their guilt. Moore quotes psychologists in the choices we have in these situations. Retreat into self pity and bitterness or move forward and struggle with the demons that face us. Moore challenges us to look these questions in the light of the cross. He quotes Harry Emerson Fosdick about the quality of character and how it evolves. (page 32) List the reasons that Joseph should have given up and turned his face to the wall. (Genesis 41) Moore reminds us that an oyster can only produce a pearl after it has been irritated. Always to look to the redeeming grace in the situation. God could have allowed the cross to be the end; instead, of the beginning. That brings us to the question and answer in times of trouble. Where is God? In Romans 8:35, Paul answers that question. Jesus has already answered it in Matt. 28:20. Each of us, in looking back at a time of trouble will recognize the presence of God; just as, Joseph did when he said," You meant evil against me, but God turned it for good." Re-read Ps 23. Listen for God's voice. It may not be in the sound of the walls crashing around you, but it will be in the silence that follows.