Read: Genesis 41
Reflect: Last week I was reading a ReCharge article (if you don’t have it, get it!) by Susan Cazillo. Susan describes having her quiet time with the Lord, pondering in her heart what God would have her do that day. Suddenly her peaceful morning devotion is interrupted by a friendly feline who just wants a soft place to land his fury body.
Now, it is no secret how I feel about cats. They deserve the space they inhabit, but they better make sure that space is nowhere near where I am. Apparently, Susan’s view differs from mine and that’s okay. God used her cat that day to remind her that just as the cat is dependent on her, so we are dependent on what God has for us. It is amazing how God uses the simplest creatures to communicate truth to his children.
A LIFE FULL OF ADVENTURE
And that brings us to Joseph, a young man who wants to know what God has for Him. Never does Joseph expect God’s plans to come through understanding “ugly and gaunt” cows! God had used dreams in Joseph’s life to help him navigate a life full of adventure. Two years passed since Joseph was approached by the seductress, Potiphar’s wife. She lied to her husband that Joseph tried to attack her (a total fabrication), nevertheless, Joseph ended up in jail. Joseph endured two years of living in a prison cell while trusting Jehovah God to sustain him and keep him.
THE ODD DREAM USED BY GOD
Then Pharaoh experiences an odd, disturbing dream. None of his magicians and wise men can decipher it. The dream involves gaunt cows, fat cows, and even ugly cows, and the only person who is qualified to interpret the dream, is Joseph. When Pharaoh is told of Joseph’s gift, he summons Joseph to interpret the mysterious dream. And even though Joseph is able to do this for Pharaoh, Joseph never loses his humility. When asked if he can do this, Joseph replies to Pharaoh, “I cannot do it … but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” (Genesis 41:16) Joseph gives credit to the One Who both directs the affairs of Egypt and at the same time uses Joseph as an instrument to eventually save his people. Joseph’s life certainly changes from then on, but never in a bad way.
Apply: When Pharaoh learned what his dream meant, with seven years of abundance and then seven years of famine, he looked around the room for someone who could oversee this phenomenal. He asked, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God?” (Genesis 41:38) When people see you, do they see someone who has the Spirit of God? Do they recognize the fruits of the Spirit in you? Love, joy, peace? Do they see someone who is following the path as it is directed by God himself?
GOD HAS DREAMS FOR YOU
This was the life of Joseph: rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery, and then put into prison. Each time he followed God’s path, whether it felt good or bad. Joseph maintained an attitude of humble submission. Remember, God will show you which way He wants you to go. Just keep your nose in the Book. Keep your eyes open to the Holy Spirit. You never know when a certain cat may be in your path. God has dreams for you!