If you will listen, the World will lie to you and limit you.
“Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings.”” Genesis 41:9 NIV. (He remembered Joseph, two years after Joseph helped him be restored.)
One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the story of Joseph. As a guy that deals with doubt and questions God’s purpose for my life and use of my life, Joseph is my great example of hope and patience.
“The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” Genesis 38:23 NIV
Joseph’s story is one of a young boy, loved unequally by his father. He was resented by his older brothers and through no fault of his own, sold as a slave in Egypt. His story is a true penthouse to outhouse story. The World would say he was a victim. That he had a right to sulk, to underperform, to have a bad attitude. To limp through life because of his circumstances that were no fault of his own.
“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did.” Genesis 39:2-3
So Joseph found himself a slave to the equivalent of the Joints Chiefs of Staff of Pharaoh’s guard, Potiphar. A bad dude no doubt with a big title and responsibility back it up. And we learn in Joseph’s story that he approached his enslavement with such conviction and commitment that Potiphar placed him in charge of his entire household, which no doubt was deep and wide with servants and people. A slave boy from a detested Country entrusted with an important job because he accepted where God had placed him. Then through no fault of his own, Potiphar’s wife wanted him.
“Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!”” Genesis 39:6-7 NIV
“When his master heard the story his wife told him, saying, “This is how your slave treated me,” he burned with anger. Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined.” Genesis 39:19-20 NIV
So we learn that Joseph’s father loved him more than his ten older brothers. Not his fault. Then he is sold into slavery. Not his fault. Then he is thrown into prison. Not his fault. Then he is forgotten by the guy he helped get out of prison. Not his fault. And in all of this we see that he approached every season of his short life with such commitment and purpose that he rose to be trusted and in charge of all those around him.
God allows good and bad things to happen to us because he loves us. He allows us to work through frustration and despair because he wants us to understand that he is with us in all seasons. He allows us to be taken from comfort to concern, from peace to conflict, from satisfaction to discontent because he is growing us.
Joseph was left in that prison, that the Bible described as a dungeon, for two more years after he helped the chief cupbearer be restored to his royal position. The chief cupbearer forgot. Joseph was toiling away in a dungeon. God was at work.
Joseph’s story is remarkable and human nature causes us to focus on the amazing highlights. The Bible tells us the travails and successes of Joseph. Human nature says, let’s focus on the good stuff. Sinful nature says, only focus on the good stuff. The result, the reward, without acknowledging the dirty, hard, desperate work and abuse that Joseph no doubt suffered for those 15 years from being sold into slavery, to being awarded the number two position in all of Egypt. Sinful nature says God is so good when things go the way we want. God says things are best when you allow me to direct your steps.
Can I assure you that God does not play fair. If he did, we would all be destined to Hell. God’s timing is typically frustrating and oftentimes leads us right to the edge of the precipice, where we scream out his name in desperation. Why? Because he knows us. He knows our hearts. He knows our independence. He knows that we naively believe we are in charge of our lives. He knows us, because he created us.
I don’t know what season you are in. If I am honest, I feel like I am in a season of drought. Lacking influence and impact but I eagerly accept that God is doing a work in me. He tells me that I must grow and surrender before he uses me as he plans.
There is an old saying that says “there are no atheists in foxholes.” Can I tell you there are no victims where achievers roam. Joseph chose to achieve and lead in every situation that he was unjustly placed.
You have a choice today. To continue the ‘that’s not fair’ road too easy to travel with the World’s encouragement, or to change your trajectory and say ‘I don’t know why, but I will trust and perform at my absolute best.’ I encourage you to approach today with the attitude that reflects the position or place that you want to be, not the place of your current circumstances.
God knows the desires of your heart.
You’ve got this.