Inspirational Thought of the Day:
Our calling is not about us, but about serving God as He has determined.
Scripture of the Day:
Genesis 40:8, 41:16, 38-39
“They told him, “We both had dreams, but there is no one to interpret them.” Joseph responded, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me.” 16 Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “It is not within my power, but God will speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.” 38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find a man like Joseph, one in whom the Spirit of God is present?” 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Because God has enabled you to know all this, there is no one as wise and discerning as you are!”
We each have a calling burning within us. Some callings emanate from our flesh, while others come from a deep place within – from the very heart of God.
Joseph had a calling since childhood. He did not understand its meaning, but in his spirit, he knew someday God would use him in leadership. If he were told that he would be betrayed by his brothers, kidnapped, put into slavery, put into prison, uh, he would not think that was a part of his calling. After all, if God speaks a vision to us, it is supposed to just unfold peaceably, right? Not so much.
Everything we encounter in this life is a part of the process of our preparation for service and none of it is wasted. God used the temporary suffering Joseph endured in profound ways. Joseph knew where his help came from. He recognized he had nothing to offer and he relied on his God. When his time came, Joseph had a foundation that was firm and he gave God all the glory.
Joseph did not have to try to make the vision from God come true. He yielded to the LORD in the process and God used him to save his own people. Even though his inner circle was jealous initially and denied any possibility of Joseph leading them, God had other plans.
Sometimes we have to step out of our inner circle to reach a people God cares about, who will listen to the LORD speaking through us. Eventually, Joseph’s inner circle recognized the hand of God in his life, but their acceptance was not something Joseph needed anymore. He had God’s.
Joseph’s calling was not about him, but about him serving God as God had determined. Maybe God has called you to something and you have no idea how you are going to get there. That’s ok. He knows. It might look a little off the beaten path until we arrive at the destination God spoke to our spirit, but this is where faith comes in.
When God begins to work through us, we have to remember it is God, not us. Spiritual insight and interpretations belong to God’s people who daily wait on Him for inspiration. We have nothing to offer if we have not feasted at God’s table first.
Just like Joseph, our calling will be realized at a time we will likely not recognize. The world needs us to be attentive. When crises happen, the people of God need to be ready. Hard times will come in this world, whether or not we are prepared. Such times are an opportunity for God’s people to be His ambassador, bringing hope and healing.
Each one of us is uniquely placed right where God has us. We might not appreciate where we are placed, but it is our mission. We might not always be aware of what God is doing, but we know His purposes and His calling are always redemptive.
Lord, thank You for your calling and that we get to participate in your mission to save souls. Be glorified in Your people, LORD, and receive all the glory!
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