The long and winding road to fulfilled dreams, part 2

So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” -Genesis 41:38 (NIV)

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. -Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

At the end of our last installment, Joseph was on a downswing. After rising to having the run of Potiphar’s household and God prospering that household, Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of trying to “make sport” of her (when it was she who kept making advances at him!), and Joseph was thrown into jail. But once again, God was with him, and Joseph rose to power under the warden in charge of all prisoners and administrative duties there.

In prison, he didn’t wallow and whine, but used his God-given gift of dream interpretation to accurately minister to two fellow inmates from the king’s court: the baker and the cupbearer. Just as he interpreted, the baker was beheaded and impaled after three days, and the cupbearer was restored to his post. Joseph asked the cupbearer to not forget how he helped him, but the cupbearer did forget, so Joseph stayed in prison.

Two years of prison later…

By that time, Pharaoh needed his troubling dreams interpreted. This time, the cupbearer remembered Joseph, so Pharaoh called for Joseph for what they perceived what his powers of dream interpretation. Joseph correctly let them know that it was not he, but God, who made the interpretation possible.

Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph explained, symbolized what God was about to do in Egypt: seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of severe famine, which meant that organization and preparation were in order. Without Joseph bringing any attention to himself, Pharaoh found favor in Joseph for the task, and appointed him head of all of Egypt, higher than all but Pharaoh himself!

While you’re traversing this twisting road, with its confusing forks and detours and alleys, look closely. You will see God has blessings in all of it, to teach you and refine you and grow you, so that once you finally arrive at the blessedly better days He has planned for you, you will see that you are much more closely aligned to God’s will than you were if you’d gotten there earlier.

There are no accidents or coincidences with God. He works through all things and people so His will to be done.

Take heart. Don’t be discouraged. Walk by faith and obedience, no matter what things look like. God is with you, and is preparing you for great things ahead to His glory.

Today’s soundtrack

Danny Gokey’s “More Than You Think I Am” is a reminder that God is everywhere, with us through everything.