Encouragement from Joseph

I have always been fascinated with Joseph. Most of his adult life was not comfortable or easy. God had given him a dream, but for over 20 years it looked completely opposite of what God showed him. I am sure Joseph had a lot of moments where he thought, “We’ll, that’s not what I thought it would look like.” In the end, his dream DID come to pass – in God’s timing and in God’s way. What Joseph did in those “mundane” years where things looked bleak and opposite of the plan of God mattered.

Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. (Psalms 105:19 NLT)

We don’t always understand why things happen the way they do or why we have to walk through some of the things we do or why sometimes it just plain TAKES SO LONG!!! And we can get weary and be tempted to let go. But what we do during those mundane times, those hidden times, matters! Even though we don’t understand and cannot see, it all fits somehow into His plan.  He is molding us and shaping us and honing our gifts and callings, and yes, even testing our character.

If we do not manage those mundane seasons well, we will never fully step into all the dream is supposed to be.

If you are in a season of “well, that’s not what I thought it would look like”, take heart and trust the One who gave the dream. HE will bring it to pass, and things can change overnight. One day Joseph was in prison, and the next day he was second in command of the most powerful nation on the planet because God opened door.

Sometimes we get discouraged and let go because we don’t see HOW things can change. It looks impossible to us. We don’t see HOW our dream will ever come to pass. I think Joseph was probably as shocked as everybody else that he went from prison to to the palace overnight. It is not our job to figure it out. God is the master at making a way where we cannot see one.

It is our job to trust. And if we release the need to know all the things and allow Him to arrange it His way, we will be able to say as Joseph did, “God did this, and it is beautiful! It is good!”

God has not forgotten you! Hold on tight to Him. One day soon you will be able to step back and see the beautiful tapestry God is making of your life. ALL of your life. All those mundane moments and all those “well, that’s not what I thought it would look like” seasons and all those things that you wished you had never had to walk through – you will be able to step back and see God’s hand in every tiny detail and see what a beautiful masterpiece it is. He is a master artist, and He makes everything beautiful in its time.  

I leave you with these two scriptures to encourage your heart.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT)

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Philippians 1:6 NLT)