Follow Joseph by being who God has called you to be

Jeremiah 29:11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

As a teacher, one of the signs or messages that I placed on the wall of my classroom was this: “Your attitude helps determine your altitude”.

That is so true, for there are times in your life when you will have to operate in a positive mindset in spite of things seemingly being set against you. Sometimes, the only thing that may be right in your life is your attitude. That is a wonderful start, for your attitude has the ability to shift your environment into a place that is acceptable — for now.

That was Joseph. Once again, Joseph found himself in a place that was not an indicator of who he was. His name was Joseph, which means “one who adds”. Yet, it seemed that blessings have been removed from him as he found himself wrongfully accused and in a prison.

Yet, here is what is vital. If you are walking in obedience to God, He will cause your bound place to become a blessed placed, just because you are there. 

The devil may have meant for your current corrupted environment to bring you into a curse, but God will show that He has placed you there to turn that place into a blessing. 

God will use your current place as a passageway to make way for your ultimate place.

Wherever you are, God wants to use you for His glory. 

Genesis 40:1 And it came to pass after these things, that the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker had offended their lord the king of Egypt.

2 And Pharaoh was wroth against two of his officers, against the chief of the butlers, and against the chief of the bakers.

3 And he put them in ward in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound.

Joseph! Here in our text, he was not home yet. He had not reached his destiny yet. He had been in a pit, sold as a slave, made it to a good place of becoming the supervisor in Potiphar’s house, was “hit on” by Potiphar’s wife, and then was shuffled off to a prison yet again. Joseph seemingly had been cheated from destiny again. Just when things were looking good, he found himself looking at the dark, damp, and destructive walls of a prison.

Rite of passage

While that was Joseph’s reality, it was also part of God working things out for Joseph’s good. That prison would become part of a passageway for Joseph, while he was on his way to the place of prominence that God showed him in his youth. Joseph was The Dreamer. 

Joseph had dreamed about being in charge and in a position to help out his brothers at a time of desperate need. Since the prison was not that place, Joseph understood that his journey was not finished.  

I believe that Joseph’s early dreams continued to propel him forward and give him hope, even when it seemed that he was in a hopeless place.

Integrity

Joseph was a man of such strong character and integrity that he affected those who came into his presence, and they even began to “flow” as he did.

Genesis 40:4 And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward.

5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.

Joseph had integrity. How do you know? Well, you know that because of how he allowed his character and gifts to operate and make room for him.

Joseph dreamed and those who came into his space would also dream. Joseph’s attitude permeated the place where he worked.  Joseph changed his workplace into a place that honoured who he was and who God was to him.

Christians, please get the crux of this message today. You must understand that as a Christian you do not have to “switch-up” for others. No! Be who God has called you to be. The world of lost sinners needs Christians to be who God has called them to be. You are the light of the world and the world needs direction.

God has gifted you with certain qualities that will add to the lives of others. Do not hide your light or your life, as a child of
God. 

Live with a godly attitude and watch the altitude of behaviour increase to a higher standard in your church, home, and workplace. Be a Joseph!

 Respice finem.