It’s been a few days in which I’ve been reading about Joseph and his brothers.

Joseph shares his dream with his brothers, who become filled with jealousy and conspire to get rid of him. Sold off to slave traders, he ends up purchased and in the home of Potiphar.

Through a series of events and time, years pass in which Joseph spends some time in prison. When the Pharoah has troubling dreams, he calls for Joseph to come and interpret the meaning. It is then Joseph is freed and elevated to a position of authority and honor.

When reunited with his brothers during a time of famine, Joseph reveals his identity to them and comforts them with these powerful statements:

• “It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.” (Genesis 45:5, NLT)
• “God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors.” (Genesis 45:7, NLT)
• “So it was God who sent me here, not you!” (Genesis 45:8a, NLT)
• “And he [God] is the one who made me an advisor to Pharaoh …” (Genesis 45:8b, NLT)

During all those years of hardships and difficulty, God had been at work all along. He had not forgotten, nor changed, the plans and dreams He had placed in Joseph’s heart years before.

In her book, The God Dare, Kate Battistelli writes:

“But silence isn’t always a sign of God’s displeasure. Often, times of silence are times of discipline to ready you for your future.”
(page 103)

During those times of silence, we have no idea how God is preparing us for what lies ahead. He is the One who handcrafts situations and people, going before us.

“And now 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)

“My Father is always working, and so am I.”
(John 5:17, NLT)

The question becomes – Will we lean into Him and trust Him with our dreams even when we cannot see Him at work?

The God Dare has challenged me to believe God has placed me here, in this time and in this place, for His purposes and reasons. I was reminded of this truth:

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.“ (Acts 17:26, NIV)

May we embrace where God has placed us,
trusting Him with our dreams.

Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash
Today I am joining … Destination Inspiration and Heart Encouragement and Booknificent Thursday .