A Different Perspective
Dear Friends and Members of IBC,
In our weekly ‘Word for the Week’, we are going through a special series where different guest writers from our church share with us what is on their hearts. This week, Funmi Akinmade encourages us to take a different perspective on the trials we might be facing. Enjoy!
God bless you
James
From Funmi:
Are you going through your list of prayer requests and wondering why God hasn’t granted the desire He put in your heart? It’s the very thing that would change your life to a better one than at the beginning of the year, but God still hasn’t come through. Joseph’s story in Genesis, chapters 37, 39-41, may give you some insight.
Joseph had a God-given dream, but his story reveals the mistreatments and injustices he endured. However, Joseph’s journey from the pit to the palace is more common than you may realise. Before God can grant the desire He has put in your heart, you should know He cannot work through you before He has worked in you. He does not take you from the pit to the palace on an aeroplane. Nope. He takes you through the rough roads to iron out your rough edges. He drives you on bumpy roads to remind you you’re safe in His hands. And when storms bombard your life, God is rooting for your faith not to fail.
With these in mind, let’s quickly recap Joseph’s story – from a different (and new) perspective:
- The pit: Joseph was in a dry pit, but this was a protective shade from the burning desert sun. (Gen 37:24)
- The caravan to Egypt: Although Joseph had been sold into slavery, the caravan was a safe way to get him to Egypt. (Gen 37:28)
- The slavery auction: Joseph was sold as a slave to Potiphar, the captain of the royal guard, who made him an overseer of his house. This was Joseph’s enrolment in management. (Gen 39:1-5)
- Guilty charge: Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of attempted sexual assault, and he was imprisoned. This prison later provided a back door entrance into the palace. (Gen 39:19-20)
- Imprisonment: Though a prisoner, God’s favour was on Joseph, who was put in charge of the prisoners – a role in people management (Gen 37:21-23). He also used his gift of interpreting dreams for his fellow inmates. (Gen 40)
- Abandoned: The Chief cupbearer who was released from prison forgot to put in a good word for Joseph with the king. Had Joseph been released at this time, he would have just been one of many servants in the palace. (Gen 40:23)
- Appointed time: Joseph’s gift made way for him and became his “calling card” in the king’s palace. His obedience to God was rewarded, and Joseph became Pharaoh’s right-hand man. (Gen 41)
I don’t know the challenges you are currently dealing with or the prayers you desperately want answered. Nevertheless, I want to encourage you not to always pray for an escape from your pit or prison. Instead, ask if your trials are to refine and prepare you for the work God has called you to do, knowing His strength is perfected in your weakness.
… for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Phil 2:12)
In Him,
Funmi