Joseph was an amazing young man. Though he may have pushed his older brothers’ buttons by telling them about his dreams (Genesis 37:5-11), he was still one who knew character counted for something. (note Genesis 39:6b-10) Joseph had quite the life, a life which took him from a humble family of shepherds to eventually being a ruler over Egypt, second to only Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:40-41) His life journey between those two points had its ups and downs, twice finding himself in the pits!
At the hands of Joseph’s brothers, we read. . .
“(23) So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. (24) And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.” (Genesis 37:23-24 ESV)
While in prison (after the false accusation of Potiphar’s wife) Joseph stated. . .
“(15) For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.” (Genesis 40:15 ESV)
Though Joseph could look back on his life and see the purpose of God in it all (Genesis 45:5-8), during the more challenging moments he may have had difficulty seeing the hand of God at work. He encountered some life experiences that were literally the pits! Still, he continued to press on making the most of the situations that arose. Though God did not spare Joseph the trials, he was delivered or rescued from them. (Acts 7:9-10)
While one person may refer to life as a bowl of cherries, another individual might respond, “Yes, full of pits!” What marks our life focus? We should not despair and quit life because of the pits. While honestly acknowledge there are the pits, we can still focus on and enjoy the juicy fruit! Life still has its sweet side.
As we look at life, we all have two lists from which to draw; good things and bad things. Which list we choose to focus on most will make all the difference in the world. The pits in my life have not been quite as severe or perhaps as fearful as Joseph’s may have been and I don’t know about all the experiences of your life. However, we have the same God to look toward as Joseph did and we need to learn to trust He is ultimately still in control! Wherever Joseph found himself, he tried to make the most of the situation and gave his best in whatever tasks were at hand. We would do well to press on in the same manner. We may not always know what God has in mind for each situation of life, but amazing things can take place if we are patient and submissive to the Will of God and what He desires to work in and through us.
When in the pits we are in a good position to look up. God can produce marvelous fruit in our life if we maintain our focus rightfully on Him. Let us trust that He has something in mind and rely on His strength to carry us through. We may not be spared, but we will ultimately be delivered. May we continue to focus on the sweet fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23) that are a part of the sweet life properly connected to God.
Have a great day CONTINUING TO SAVOR LIFE’S SWEET REWARDS!
Carl
