More Than a Multi-Coloured Coat

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."

A great quote. One that I believe, rings very true with the life of Joseph in the Old Testament. Many people will know Joseph simply because of his multi-coloured dream coat, or from the famous musical made about his life. However, Joseph was much more than just his fancy coat. He was a man who, despite his awful circumstances, found himself in a position of much power and favour where he was used by God to make an impact.

As I've been reading through Genesis, and recently specifically about the life of Joseph, I more and more see how WHERE we are doesn't really matter. Rather what is important is our attitude. Are we open to let God use us in this place? How can we make the best of this situation for God's glory? Where can I go from here? It's about having vision, and the determination to persevere in the tough places. Although it's important to remember, that just having these things is simply not enough. We must have reliance on and faith in our mighty Father: for Him to give us opportunities and use us in ways that we can't comprehend.

Joseph had it bad. A lot worse than many of us can imagine. He was thrown in a well by his brothers! Only to be hoisted back out and sold into slavery, then falsely accused of rape and then finally put in prison. I don't think that in any of these situations, Joseph wanted to be in those places. He probably had his own plans for life, which certainly wouldn't have included being at the bottom of a well or stuck in prison. Let's take a look at his time as a slave at Potiphar's house. Potiphar, who was an Egyptian officer, purchased Joseph as his slave and set him to work in his household. The key verse to pick out here is:

"The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master." Genesis 39 v 2

Potiphar noticed the success that Joseph was bringing to him and ended up trusting his slave with many more responsibilities. After a while, Joseph was in charge of the whole household and property of Potiphar.

Second scenario - Joseph gets put in the clink. Poor Joseph was set up by Potiphar's wife and ends up in prison. But even in the worse place possible:

"But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favourite with the prison warden." - Genesis 39 v 21

In no time, the prison warden has Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. Crazy!? Well wait there's more. After his time in prison, Joseph is taken out by the Pharaoh of Egypt who soon also takes a shining to him. Soon Joseph is second in charge of all Egypt, and the most powerful man besides Pharaoh himself.

What can we take from this adventure?!

One thing to remember is that no matter where we are, God can and will give us great opportunities. Just like Joseph, if we keep our eyes on God and trust in Him then He will continue to be faithful to us. Thinking about everyone that got exam results today that will determine where they are for the next few years of their lives, possibly people are disappointed with not getting to their first choice university or even getting in at all. Remember Joseph, he didn't want to be in a well, or to be a slave, or to be in prison. But in all these situations, he trusted God and God helped him. God gave him favour with people in power, and gave Joseph opportunities to use his skills and gifts for success.

Secondly, remember that being somewhere you don't want to be doesn't determine your future. Joseph wasn't in the well forever. He wasn't a slave forever. He wasn't in prison forever either. In fact, he ended up ruling over Egypt - in a place of power and responsibility, and of influence. Don't let your current situation get you down, but look past that to where you can go with trusting in God and being faithful to Him.#

Finally, remember that this comes with a commitment and a responsibility. God doesn't just shower His blessings on us and expect nothing in return. He is a faithful and loving Father, who never turns His back on us even if we are somewhere that He didn't even want us to be either. God expects us to live for Him, and give Him the glory in our lives. If we do this with little responsibility, then He will entrust us with more. The more we get, the more glory we give to Him. God will take us places, give us power and influence, but only if we use it for His Kingdom.

Bruce Lee once said, "To heck with circumstances; I create opportunities." 

Look past bad circumstances, trust God and let Him create opportunities for you; opportunities to shine like a light for His glory in our presently dark world.