Inspirational Thought of the Day:

The time in between God’s calling and the fulfillment of that calling is divine preparation.

Scripture of the Day:

Genesis 44:14, 34

“So Judah and his brothers came back to Joseph’s house. He was still there, and they threw themselves to the ground before him.” 34 “For how can I go back to my father if the boy is not with me? I couldn’t bear to see my father’s pain.”

Genesis 45:5(b), 7-8

“Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life! 7 God sent me ahead of you to preserve you on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now, it is not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me an adviser to Pharaoh, lord over all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.”

Joseph had dreams and people around him were envious. Who did he think he was? Something special? Sometimes it is wise not to share with others what God is telling us – they can’t handle it. Moving in our calling can be perceived as “self-promotion” or “prideful”. That’s how Joseph’s brothers felt. But Joseph seemed surprised at the calling. What could it mean?

If Joseph were told about the time in between the dream God gave and when the dream was realized, he would likely not have chosen the suffering to get there. His brothers might have.

Life passes us by so quickly. We might be looking toward the future more often than living in the present. But each moment is held in God’s hands. The time in between our original calling and seeing that calling come true is uncomfortable. We aren’t at our destination and it feels useless because our vision is not fulfilled. But oh how much God uses this space in our lives.

For Joseph, God used the time in between to work humility and character in that would be needed to lead Egypt through a severe famine, and ultimately, the point of it all – to save his people.

For Judah, we saw the transformation of a once jealous brother into one who would give his own life for another brother.

Judah was the one who spared Joseph’s life when his brothers wanted to kill him, but he was okay with selling him into slavery. But in the time in between, he was willing to be the one taken into slavery when Joseph demanded that Benjamin was kept as a slave. Judah could not bear to see his father in pain. God does miracles in the time in between. He softens once hardened hearts into compassionate ones and refines our calling.

We spend a lot of time in “the time in between”. It is possibly where most of our lives are spent. While our flesh might not appreciate this time, looking at the examples in Scripture helps us to have hope in the gaps of life. These perceived gaps have a purpose and it is good. God does miracles in the time in between. He softens hearts, refines our calling and fulfills His divine purposes.

Lord, thank You for every moment you give us. May each day be an offering to You, spent living purposefully for Your glory alone. May we trust in You at all times, knowing that nothing is wasted in Your hands.