Redemption amid Ruin

Faith in the Pit and Palace

Joseph’s life moved like a river, twisting and turning in ways no one could have predicted. One moment, he wore a robe of many colours, the symbol of his father’s love. Next, he faced betrayal by those closest to him, was thrown into a pit, and sold into slavery. From the darkness of prison, God lifted him to a palace, placing him where he could save nations from famine.

Through it all, Joseph held on to faith. He refused bitterness. He trusted that even when others sought harm, God was quietly weaving it into something good. Each setback, each act of betrayal, formed part of a larger story, one only God could see.

Between each high point were seasons of waiting. Seasons when the pit seemed endless, when the palace seemed impossibly far away. Seasons when voices whispered that he was not enough, that he would never rise. Yet Joseph endured, step by step, trusting that God’s timing and purpose were perfect.

We see echoes of that same faith in Ida Scudder. Born in India, she had no desire to be a missionary or a doctor. One night, she witnessed women dying in childbirth simply because there were no female doctors. Something stirred within her, a quiet pull she could not ignore. She left the safety of her expectations, embraced a calling that scared her, and devoted her life to the practice of medicine. She founded a medical college that became a haven for thousands, a place where hope and dignity were restored. In stepping into the unexpected, she became an instrument of God’s redeeming work.

Her path, too, included waiting and doubt. People told her she was not capable, that the task was too great, that she would fail. Still, she pressed on, one step at a time, trusting God’s guidance through every obstacle and delay.

I have experienced God’s unexpected paths in my own life. I was born and raised in a rural area of India, where my father served as a doctor connected to Ida Scudder’s legacy. As a child, I studied in a small school for the staff's children, named after its founder. Little did I know how far God would lead me.

He opened doors I could never have imagined, allowing me to study Computer Science at top institutions in India, work at Siemens, and eventually at Hanson Robotics, where I collaborated on projects such as the humanoid robot Little Sophia. Between each high point, there were seasons of waiting, years when doors seemed closed, when friends and family said I was not good enough, when uncertainty pressed in from every side. Yet step by step, God revealed His hand, giving courage, fresh ideas, and reassurance, guiding me toward what He had prepared.

Now, we may find ourselves in seasons of waiting and curiosity. Joseph’s story reminds us that the trials we face today, like betrayals, doubts, and discouragement, may be the very preparation we need for the palaces God is building tomorrow. Faith is not knowing the whole path. Faith is taking the next step, trusting that God is weaving all the pieces together, transforming hardship into purpose, disappointment into destiny.

Life rarely flows in straight lines. But when we walk with God, even the twists, turns, shadows, and waiting become threads in a story far greater than we could ever imagine.

Reflection Question:

Where do you need faith today to trust that God can bring good out of difficult circumstances?

Prayer:

Lord, strengthen my faith, especially when life feels hard or unfair. Help me believe that You are working all things for good, even when I cannot yet see it. Amen.