Learning From Joseph

This past summer at Eastview Church we studied the life of Joseph. I have grown up hearing this story yet I found that I was completely enthralled and wanted to read and know the story more. I found Charles Swindol's, "Joseph" in the church library to supplement my learning.
One of the things that struck me was Joseph's trust in God. Very early in his life in Egypt his life openly showed that God was with him. Whether he was a slave, a promoted slave, a prisoner, a promoted prisoner or a leader in the land, his life showed devotion to God through the way he behaved and spoke and interacted with people. People saw God was with him and named that providence in his life.

As I am navigating through this particular time in my life, Joseph's example and God's clear plan in every part of Joseph's life, the good, bad and ugly, is such an encouragement to me and an assurance I yearn for.

I remember hearing an illustration in a sermon at a young age where the preacher said, "It doesn't matter if you are shovelling manurer, do it in such a way and with such an attitude that God is honoured."

Not every season of life is going to be filled with things that the world promises; beauty, health, wealth, romance, happiness and success. In fact, even though I get side-tracked at times, that isn't even the point. Being God filled and bringing glory to Him in my life situation is the point.

So how is it that I can live out this God honouring attitude? Not just for certain times but for every time? I find such hope in being preemptive and planning with God, through use of scripture, to fight a particular area of weakness. Like using Matthew 6:25-34 to fight worry tendencies. But I want more! What if my desire is to be in the presence of God at all times? How can I be in continual prayer about the ways of God? How can I love Him in EVERYTHING and obey Him in EVERYTHING - the Colossians 3:17 way.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I mean EVERYTHING - like when your imaginations run away on you, when you are doing very mundane things, when you are responding to a rather meaningless conversation that your children are having? When you are overtired and just going through the motions? Crisis situations almost seem easier - because you know instantly that they are beyond you.

I am reminded that this desire and this discipline is one that grows over time - over a lifetime. That it does start with specific areas like worry and then grows to include other areas as God examines and points them out.

I am also reminded to pray more. To bow in reverence and in need to God's sovereignty more.

Finally but not lastly, I am directed to scripture, the one true and lasting Word from God we are given to help us know Him more.

As I am focusing on my next steps in this area. The passage that came to me is from the Joseph story in Genesis near the end of Joseph's life as he is talking with his brothers.

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God?" You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:19 - 20 (also see Genesis 45:5)

Joseph is humble and has given all the accolades to God in the matter of judgment and advancement of purpose. He is a willing player in the game and speaks with reassurance and kindness (Gen.50:21). These verses remind me that who God is and the ways of God are to be meditated on. Practising giving God the credit is paramount. Joseph openly lived his life for God when he was being seduced by Potipher's wife and when he was faced with forgiving his brothers as well as many other occasions. God's intentions were at the forefront of his actions and his words and therefore must have been in his imaginations.

When I was in grade school the Sutera Twins came and did a week long revival in our church. I don't remember much of the spoken content but was really captured by one thought that they shared. When making a commitment to Christ they impressed upon us the importance of practising a thankful heart. They stressed that one should be verbally thankful to God for 3 days taking time to thank God for anything and everything. I don't believe there was anything magical about the number 3 but that they were trying to help develop a habit.

What if I made it a habit to thank God for the mundane? What if I acknowledged that what I was doing at that moment was part of His plan to shape me into the creation He intended? What if the moment wasn't just something to get through but was an opportunity for growth - for knowing God more? What if every encounter I had was what God had planned for such a time as that!

That sounds both purposeful and fulfilling!