Joseph, the dreamer

Have you ever heard of the story about Joseph? You find it in the book of Genesis beginning with chapter 38. If you carefully read this story, you will come across attitudes and things that are very common to all of us today. These could be positive as well as negative. It all begins with a young man who dreams. This is a good thing to do. Are you a dreamer?. Or have you stopped dreaming?

People often find it hard to believe in the other people's dreams. Have you not noticed that? Like Joseph's brothers, they did not believe him, especially the meaning of his dreams was that they would all bow before him. Later on, they wanted to shut down his dreams. They ended up selling him to the merchants with the idea that it would be the end of his dreams. Friends, a dream is like a candle you hold as you walk on the street. That will not stop the reality we find out there. There will always be stuff that may extinguish your candle. The wind will continue to blow on the street, and you will be required to protect the light.

Here are a few things I would like you to keep in mind:
1. When a dream is about the good of people, nothing or nobody will shut it down. Joseph's dreams were not about people bowing before him, but saving lives.

2. Believe in your dreams and work towards them. Whatever you do, do it accordingly. You would require some disciplines and character for their fulfillment. Joseph was sent to prison because of his spiritual and moral values. He refused to fall into adultery with his master's wife. Holding to values that honor God and your neighbor is very crucial. You need to have these values as well. The outcome of your faithfulness to God and His word may not be revealed immediately. But it will some day.

3. You will find adversity and opposition on the way. Never give up when you come across such things. Even in prison, Joseph continued to hope and believe that things would get better.

4. Do good for people no matter what. A dreamer ceases every opportunity to bless other people's lives. Be the eyes to the blind, a father to the one in need, and always welcome the stranger. Joseph interpreted people's dreams while in prison. He never gave up on his faith in God. He was always faithful. Even when things pull you down, you don't have to give up on your dreams. However, you should continue to do as much good as you can for people around you. Remember that it was one of the people, Joseph helped interpret his dreams, that a door opened. Doing anything for someone may open greater doors in life you would ever imagine before.

My friend, hold onto your dreams. They will come to pass according to God's timing!


Emmanuel