If a young woman of God were looking for the perfect husband, she would have found him in Joseph. He was absolutely godly, a man of great dreams, morally pure, selfless, hardworking, forgiving, and with good looks thrown in for good measure.
But, as Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be expected” (Luke 12:48). If any man will face judgement having done what was required of him with that which was entrusted to him, it was Joseph.
Given the hostile reaction of his brothers, most of us would have kept our dreams to ourselves. But even if we had gotten beyond that point, we would have backed down rather than be sold into slavery.
Hardship and persecution expose the integrity of the soul. When Joseph fled from the seductress and laboured as for God in prison, he was showing he was up to the great expectations God had before him. The dreams of power to rule over his family came with even greater responsibility to save Egypt and preserve Israel. His dreams came at great personal cost to Joseph; his life was never his own.
We do not see ourselves as we should. The Holy Spirit is constantly working in us and through us to advance His church. Like Joseph, we must stay strong and submit ourselves to God’s will. And we too will be persecuted for our dreams and punished for resisting temptation. That is the nature of our spiritual struggle.
Do not be alarmed if you feel confined or restricted by duty or unfair circumstance. God is with you. Work hard in the good that is before you. For this we know:
“God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28).
John Staiger