Title: Joseph's Success
Contents
There is a poem called “Called to the Cliff” by Pastor Robert Schuller, which gives strength and courage when there are difficulties in life.
“I called him near the cliff and approached him. He told me to come closer to the edge of the cliff and approached him.
Then he pushed me down the cliff as I was barely putting my feet on the cliff.
Of course I fell off the cliff. But until then, I didn’t know I could fly.”
This is our life. Standing on the edge of a cliff, it looks like it will fall, but rather it will fly up into the sky. Please believe that God prepares a better door when one door closes, not the one-time opportunity that God has prepared.
Look at Joseph. When the door of his father Jacob's house closed, the door of Potiphar's house opened. When the door of Potiphar's house was closed, the door of the Egyptian royal palace was opened. Verses 9-14. God knows our circumstances.
1. Joseph was a man who thoroughly grasped his identity and kept it.
Joseph always kept his identity and position thoroughly, saying to himself, "I am a child of God who serves God." A person who recognizes and maintains self-worth can succeed. A person who asks "Who am I?" and accepts and respects himself is the one who succeeds.
Christians are self-respecting people. What did Jesus teach us when he came into this world? ""You are children of God. As children of God, you are those who have the attributes of God. God created man in God's image. Therefore, you have infinite possibilities, and you have the wisdom to distinguish good from evil. It has a precious soul that cannot be found in other animals. Therefore, your life cannot be exchanged for anything under heaven."" Jesus taught. This is the Christian view of human values.
2. Joseph was a man who made the most of his abilities and did his best for his responsibilities.
Although Joseph kept his identity as a child of God, he did his best to fulfill his responsibilities, not forgetting that he was actually a slave to Potiphar. Potiphar looked at Joseph's attitude and said, "This man is different from the average slave. He is a young man who takes full responsibility for anything he entrusts to him."" He said, removing the bond of slavery attached to him and giving him the position of household secretary. What's the problem? A person's abilities, talents, etc., are more important than things like attitude. Attitude is what it means to be a person.
Joseph's accusation of Potiphar's wife put him in prison. Although Joseph was in prison, his posture was not disturbed. He was the light of that prison. Then the man in charge of guarding the prison entrusted everything in Joseph's prison. Joseph did his best even in prison.
Who succeeds? Geniuses don't succeed. Those who do their best in their responsibilities succeed. Everyone has talents. Those who use their talents to the fullest and do their best in their responsibilities will succeed.
3. Joseph is a man of unchanging faith.
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "The chief cupbearer says that you are good at interpreting dreams." Then, if you are a normal person, ""Yes, yes. I can interpret any dream."" But Joseph did not answer that, saying, "This is not mine, but God will give Pharaoh a comfortable answer" (verse 16). In other words, ""I'm not interpreting the dream, it's God's work."" What we need to learn here is to seize the opportunity when it comes. As a fish rides on water and a bird rides on the wind, the dreamer needs to seize opportunity. But Joseph was cautious. Be cautious even right in front of you. See verses 15-16.
Joseph was this humble before God, ready to seize opportunities, and the wisdom to interpret dreams. But it was never easy to take this opportunity. He did not act before God. To this extent, Joseph was always connected with God. .
Joseph's inner world was well organized. It is not influenced by the external environment. Even in lowliness, in times of adversity, in the face of sudden life opportunities, and in the face of the authority of King Pharaoh, he was not shaken. He sees that he acknowledges and exalts God in all circumstances.
Everyone, if you have faith, you will surely succeed. Even Jesus said, "Let it be according to your faith" (Matthew 8:13). If you make up your mind, "I'm going to live roughly," you become that kind of person. But ""I'm going to have to succeed. If you think and believe, "I must become a great person," you will surely succeed and become a great person. You will be as successful as you believe.
Like Joseph, I hope that you will be successful by grasping and protecting your identity, making the most of your talents, doing your best in your responsibilities, and having unchanging faith.