Scriptures2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. 20 So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. Genesis 39:2, 20.
Application
The writing for today is a bit strong. I admit, but you'd see why if you stay with me. I have discovered that to get to where God wants us to be in life, we will have to be uncomfortable. We will need the truth, because only the truth can set us free. If what it would take for you to be where God wants you to be is being fired from your current job, I hope it happens. But first, let's dig deep into why.
Perhaps you are in that dream job of yours. You are earning some good living. For example, let's say you are the best at your work. You are earning $100 or even $500 per hour just to be generous. Or if your earning is per month, let's say $10,000 per month. That's a good decent amount of money. Throw in medical insurance, subsidized housing and such. That's really good. I can see why you would not want to leave that job for the next 30 years.
Given the above, why do I hope you should be fired? First, hourly or monthly pay is still the lowest of compensation. No matter how much you earn, you only have a finite number of hours to work per day. Second, as you grow older, your physical capacity to do strenuous work reduces.
Let's look at Joseph according to our principal scripture verses. He was doing quite well. God was with him in the house of Potiphar. He was doing so well that he was put in charge of everything. I mean everything. He was the boss. At that level he could set his wages. But there is a problem. God's dream for Joseph is far bigger than this. Though his situation doesn't look like what he was currently experiencing, God never forgot the dream he gave him.
What happened for Joseph to move forward? God allowed him to be fired and thrown into jail - falsely. He didn’t step in. It was in the prison that Joseph used the talent he already had, which took him to the palace. He became the Prime Minister of Egypt, and effectively the boss of his former boss Potiphar.
Do you know if you are resting when you've not reached your destination God would allow the fire of affliction to keep you moving? Imagine if Joseph had escaped illegally from the prison and ran back home? What are you doing with your affliction? Are you trying to cut corners?
Have you heard of Colonel Sanders of KFC? Did you know that he started KFC because he was disgusted with the $105-a-month Social Security check he was to be getting? Where was the idea for KFC prior to turning 65 years of age? Of course he had it all along, but it took being pushed to the wall to bring it out.
At some point in your life, you need to close the gap between your potential and your performance. You won't be able to close that gap when you are comfortable in that cushy job. You'd need to be stretched. It could require being literally fired from your work. The motivation could also come from being fired up by being cheated.
So, if God has given you a dream and you've not started working on it, may God do whatever it takes to push you into that greatness!
Prayer Points
- Father, thank you for wanting the best for me.
- Father, give me the courage to step out into what you have for me no matter my weaknesses.