Stepping Stones

As for you, you meant evil against me but God meant it for good to bring about this present result.

Genesis 50:20 NASB

As the story of Joseph’s life unfolds, we find a young man excited about the future God has for him. From the dreams given, and readily shared with his family, we can see God has a super-sized future in mind for him! But his big brothers weren’t so impressed with their kid brother and his dreams of valor. When their contempt began brimming over for this “little dreamer” as they called him, they hatched a plot to take his life. In the end, rather than kill him, they sold him to traveling merchants. Selling him into a life of slavery.

Maybe you can relate. Have your dreams turned into dashed expectations and a painful new reality?

So much for a God-ordained, super-sized future. So much for dreams of God’s call on his life. He must have misunderstood. He must have heard God all wrong.

Not quite. God often uses the unlikely, the ordinary and the downright painful to bring about His purposes for our lives. Trace out the path God providentially wove – Joseph would have never become prime minister of Egypt if he had not been sold into slavery.

Read the entire story. (See Genesis 37-50) See how again and again, the pain filled, and often unfair, events in Joseph’s life are nothing less than stepping-stones masterfully placed by God to fulfill one man’s destiny. To place him exactly where he’s needed, when he’s needed. Joseph understands this truth as he boldly declares on four occasions, “God sent me here. He sent me ahead of you.” God is in charge. Period. Pain and all.

I trust You to create my life’s story and to give me all I need to fully live out the path You have planned for me. 

Tony Evans

Beloved, who are the “older brothers” in your life? Have you been “sold into slavery” of some kind? Have you been your own pit creator and slave seller?

Has something or someone caused you to believe that God’s promises are for everyone else but you? As if you, and your circumstances, are the one exception? Listen to me dear one, “they” may have meant it for evil but God meant it for good, to bring about His call on your life. Your pain may very well be God’s stepping-stones for the destiny He has planned.

Father, Grant us a stepping-stone mentality on the trials that swirl around us. It’s so easy to feel like we’re the one exception to all You’ve promised. We choose to take one step at a time into the future You have planned for us, knowing that You hold our right hand. Thank You for your great faithfulness!

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for my Lord Jesus