In the Meantime

Last Tuesday on the podcast, we started Joseph’s story. Today, we reach the pinnacle moment of restoration and reconciliation in his story. It reminded me of this post from January 2011. I hope you enjoy it, and if you want to hear all of Joseph’s story, listen to episodes 37 – 50 of the Coffee With Christ podcast right here on the website or on your favorite podcast app.

I love Joseph! I mean I really, really, really love Joseph. I love him for many reasons, but I think it’s because I can relate to him.

He was foolish when he was young. 
Humility was not his strong suit. 
His mouth got him into trouble. 

When Joseph was 17, God gave him a dream about what was to come. He didn’t ask God if he should share his dream with others. He just did.  At 17, I’m sure his approach wasn’t exactly what it should have been. I’m sure it was more bragging than bashful, more proud than prudent.

“Guess what God told me!” Joseph said to his brothers. “God said that I was going to rule over you. You…and Mom….and Dad, y’all are all going to bow down and worship me.”

OK. So, maybe he wasn’t quite that blunt, but his presentation of the dream was done in a way that his brothers quickly caught on to what he was saying.

They weren’t happy.

They already hated him (Gen. 37:5).

Joseph had just added some C4 to a smoldering fire, and it was only a matter of time before the burning embers of resentment turned into flickering flames of anger which would eventually ignite into rage.

On an ordinary day, Joseph sets out at the request of his father to check on his brothers (Gen. 37:13-14). Why wasn’t he with them? I can only speculate. They probably didn’t want to be around him, so they left him at home to hang with Dad.

As Joseph set off to find his brothers, he had no idea what laid before him.

He had no idea his brothers would do what they did.
He had no idea that the road to the palace began in a pit.
He had no idea that before his brothers would bow he would be broken.

Do you think Joseph would’ve wanted his “dream” if God told him his brothers were going to plot his demise?

Do you think he’d approve of God’s plan if he knew he would have to pass through such pain, heartache and betrayal?

Would he hop on board if he knew the next 13 years would be spent enslaved and falsely imprisoned?

Would you?

Would I?

Sometimes, like Joseph, God gives us glimpses of what He wants to do with us. Every now and then, He’ll bless us with a fleeting view of the big picture – a peek at the blueprint of His building – a taste of the sweetness to come. Sometimes God lets us in on His secret.

Sometimes.

What does He do in the meantime?

He teaches us to trust Him.
He stretches our faith.
He tests our endurance.

He teaches us His ways.
He holds us in His righteous right hand.
He wipes the tears from our face.

He proves that His ways are always right.
He shows us that He can work anything for good.
He teaches us that love sometimes means a lesson.

He proves that His timing is impeccable.
He demonstrates that His grace is sufficient.
He teaches us to hope only in Him.

He builds our character.
He displays His power and might.
He shows us His glory.

He provides.
He rebukes.
He comforts.

He sustains.
He loves.
He restores.

And in the end, He proves to be faithful.

The next time you find yourself faced with a seemingly unfair situation; or you find yourself standing in a pit of pain that seems to swallow you whole; just remember Joseph.

Remember Joseph’s promise and his journey.

Remember that God is bigger than your present circumstance.

While you can’t see the forest for the trees, He does, because He created – not only the trees – but the forest in which they stand. He knows exactly where you are and exactly what you are going through, and He knows exactly how to finish what He started (Philippians 1:6).