When things don't go as planned...

Things often don’t go the way that we have them planned out in our heads. For Joseph, things REALLY didn’t go the way he originally thought. 

“They bruised [Joseph’s] feet with fetters
and placed his neck in an iron collar.
Until the time came to fulfill his dreams,
the Lord tested Joseph’s character.” (Psalm 105:18-19, NLT)

Most of us are thoroughly acquainted with the story of Joseph. After all, it’s been turned into a broadway hit and even a Dreamworks animated feature! But Joseph didn’t know how things would turn out... He didn’t have that advantage. From being sold into slavery by his own flesh and blood, to being falsely charged with raped, and then slammed with a life sentence in prison, Joseph always demonstrated a blameless character throughout. Why did God allow Joseph to endure all of these brutal situations? Didn’t God love Joseph? The truth is that God loved Joseph very much, but before Joseph’s dreams could be fulfilled, his character had to be proved.

Today, God is still testing his children’s character. He wants to know whether I am focused on my dreams or am I focused on becoming a man after His own heart. Am I focused on results? Or am I focused on obedience and depth of character? Today, may you and I stay committed to a long obedience in the same direction. And in the process, may we see our God-given dreams fulfilled in our lives.