I recently studied Genesis 40 which shares the story of Joseph in Prison. This young man had been falsely accused of attempted rape by his master’s wife; this happened after his blood brothers had sold him into slavery. To be honest, it seemed and looked like young Joseph transitioned from the frying pan to the fire. Like his life’s situation went from bad to worse although he was a friend of God. If the bible told me that Joseph had backslid at a point in his life, I would most definitely understand his plight. The things that he went through were just enough to discourage him from forging ahead, everything he went through was enough to make him a depressed and bitter man.
But as I studied his story recently, I see how selfless and loving Joseph was. Genesis 40:5 says that Joseph saw the cupbearer and baker looking upset on a fateful morning, he really could have let them be and minded his business. but out of his care and love for others, Joseph went ahead to ask these men why they looked so morose- Genesis 40:7. In multiple ways, I played out how that scene could have gone, you could check out some of the ways I played the scenarios out here –
Joseph, really could have chosen to ignore those men and decide to face his own “problem” but instead, he was:
- Observant that his fellow prisoners had a different countenance from the usual
- He took his time to ask them what the problem(s) was
- He took his time to listen to them attentively- Genesis 40:8
- He also took his time to profer solutions to their problems.- Genesis 40:9-13
These things that Joseph did for the cupbearer and baker in the prison are things that are humanly impossible, considering the circumstances Joseph was surrounded with. In my opinion, it takes one who is drenched in the love of God to be able to exude such love and selflessness as displayed by Joseph.
Young fine lad Joseph wasn’t the only man in the bible who exuded the love of God regardless of what he was going through. My Jesus also did the same at different times. My Jesus had just heard about the death of his cousin, John the baptist. My Jesus was apparently unhappy about the news because He immediately retracted to be alone- Matthew 14:12-13. I can only imagine how my Jesus felt for Him to retract immediately after He heard the news. But something interesting happened just about the time my Jesus wanted to have His alone time with the Lord to probably discuss the death of His cousin. Multitudes of people approached the very same place where Jesus was, Jesus could have politely asked them to excuse Him as He was mourning the death of His cousin. That was not the case, my Jesus moved with compassion for these people moved his focus to them and healed them of their diseases, fed them the word of God, and even fed them with food. – Matthew 14:13-20
Furthermore, even on the cross when my Jesus must have been going through the most excruciating pain in His entire life, He still took the time to listen to the thief on His side. He listened attentively to his need and gave Him salvation there and then- Luke 23:42-43. These men above are classic examples of men who did not lose the essence of their lives regardless of the momentary circumstances that they were faced with. From their stories, they did not put so much focus on their momentary problems but had their focus on our dear father in heaven.
Lastly, our dear apostle Paul had so much love for the body of Christ that regardless of the inconveniences he may have felt while in prison- he wrote us letters. Letters that have deep revelations of the finished works of Jesus Christ, letters that encouraged, instructed the church of old, and still does the same for the church till date.
God has indeed called us to a life of exuding His love here on earth regardless of what it is that we may be going through. As we prophesy, heal the sick, and move in the miracle we should never do them from a place other than the place of love. Love for God, love for humanity, and love for God’s kingdom come to earth. The only way this can happen is when we are drenched in the love of the Lord and this happens with constant communion with the Holy Spirit who sheds the Love of God in our hearts- Romans 5:5
Today, I am writing to remind you that this life is patterned in seasons and no matter how tough or long a season seems to last, it does not last forever. Seasons always change, ask Joseph, Jesus, and anyone who has lived through life. Therefore, as we go through seasons, we should not lose the essence of our lives. Many people have lost their joy and life’s purpose because they dwelt on a certain season in their life when God would rather that they live, love, and thrive through every season.
From the above stories of Joseph and my Jesus above, it is evident that there are always opportunities to serve, live and thrive regardless of the tribulations we may be going through. And sometimes, these opportunities to serve may be stepping stones to our breakthroughs just like in the case of Joseph. But the challenge most times may lie in the ability to look past the challenge while focusing on the love of God who causes all tribulations to work out for the good of all His Children.
Above all, in this season and whatever seasons we may be faced with in life, I pray that we remain and thrive in the love of God always in Jesus’ name, Amen.