We love a good revenge story. When the underdog finally gets to force justice on the people who wronged him, something about it fires us up. The buildup, the payoff, the moment the tables turn… it’s appealing because we love the idea of our hands controlling justice. But restoration, though far less dramatic, is always the more powerful ending, even when we can’t see it at first. At the new Night Life Center, Lisa and I have been locked in a month long battle over dumpster size. I wanted the smaller one; she insisted on the bigger one. I’m convinced she overfilled it on purpose just to prove her point. Eventually, I gave in and we upgraded to the glorious three yard dumpster on wheels. Friday morning at 7 a.m., I swung by after the gym, excited to roll the freshly emptied dumpster back inside the fence before anyone could toss anything in. But when I got there… it was already half full of boxes. At first, I thought Lisa had come early just to troll me. But then I read the labels: kitchen deep fryer, mixer, spices, Turkish mugs. Not Lisa. Turns out someone had moved into the apartment next door and dumped all their moving boxes into my dumpster—forty five minutes after it was emptied. I was furious. I started imagining all kinds of dumpster revenge: stacking the boxes on their porch, loading them back into their truck, sending subtle “dumpster justice” messages. I had a whole plan. Then later that same day… I needed to throw something away and ended up using someone else’s dumpster. And it hit me: I’m no different. Short term revenge would’ve felt great. But long term? Probably better to just introduce myself and be a decent neighbor. (I’m still not baking a cake.) This week we learn how the children of God should desire reconciliation and restoration far more than personal revenge and justice. Joseph’s story shows us that God’s way is always better—even when revenge feels easier, faster, and more satisfying in the moment.
