God can

Mental how yesterday I was talking about not hearing from God, and then like literally He did not stop talking to me through people and through visions and pictures yesterday.  SO cool.

Also amazing how Helen's talk at WCC was pretty much the same as my blog.... do you think God's saying something?  Exciting times!


Anyways!  Check out today's reading Genesis 41 - it is packed full of amazing stuff!  Here are a few things that struck me..

1)  Joseph didn't rush God or God's plan. I love how the Bible just says 'when two full years had passed'.  Joseph was still in prison at this point, despite 2 years earlier, his hoping that the cupbearer who had been freed would talk to Pharaoh and get him released.  It doesn't say anything about Joseph huffing and puffing and getting frustrated.  He just seemed to live out his life to the full in the situation he found himself in.  Do we do this?  Further more there is no account of him pleading with the guard, trying to send letters to the Pharoah or begging for his own release.  He knew God had a plan and he knew the wait was part of it.  He just got on with it and waited on God.

It's easy for us to get impatient and to try and hurry things along when really we should just 'ride God's wave' and wait for Him to unfold and fulfil His plan.  A premature baby often experiences life threatening difficulties at least in the first stages of life.  A premature plan that has not been prepared and matured to it's fullness can often create problems.  Let God carry you and unveil His plan as He does.

2)  Joseph accredited everything to God.  It probably could have been easy for him to say 'oh yes, it is ME who interprets dreams, come to ME and I will help you'.  This was a God given gift that Joseph had.  When Pharoah asks Joseph to interpret his dreams, Joseph replies in verse 16 'I cannot do it... but God will give Pharoah the answer'.  How often do we take pride in our own capabilities rather than praising God for His giftings, and accrediting our abilities to God.  This is where pride can set in.  Now don't mistake me, there is a fine line between accrediting things to God and being joyful about it, and thinking you are worthless and incapable of doing anything.  NO, we must give God praise for our giftings but also stand on the promises of who we are in Christ.  I know I am fearfully and wonderfully made, but I also know that God is my Creator.  I don't go around hanging my head in shame like a low self-esteemed cripple.  Neither do I hold my nose in the air and think I'm better than everyone else.  No, I hold my head up in praise and thanks to God because He made me who I am.  I hope this makes sense!

3)  To my knowledge Pharoah was not a believer in the same God as Joseph, yet God was still speaking to him through dreams.  I strongly believe God can speak to people and use people despite their lack of faith or belief in him.  I am a strong believer that we should use people's God-given giftings and talents before they are believers.  Why waste what God has given people?  SO yes, lets have non-christians in our worship bands, let's involve non-christians in our cell groups and let's give them a voice.  I know this is a controversial subject, but what are we celebrating?  Someone's ability to say yes I believe in you God and join the 'us and them club' or are we celebrating and utilising and recognising God's generous gifts and the fact that he loves people so much that even 'whilst they are sinners' He can use them?  Thoughts and comments appreciated!

4)  Joseph obeyed God.  He remained faithful to Him even in prison.  He could have said 'oh no I gave up interpreting dreams because God stuck me in prison'.  But he didn't.  He remained faithful and true and obedient.  And because of this God gave him authority, power and dominion over the storehouses of Eygyt!  How cool is that.  Let's be obedient, even when it hurts, and let's see just what God can do!

5)  Finally, it took Pharoah a lot of guts to believe Joseph's interpretation.  There was no sign of a famine, so why should he save for one?  It took faith to believe Joseph, and be obedient to God even when it seemed like a ridiculous idea.  Storing up barnfulls of grain would have looked stupid during so many years of plentiful and abundant harvest.  Yet I learn two things here.  1 - Trust God and remain faithful even in the most ridiculous situation.  2 - Let us be so faithful and true to God, that even 'non-believers' or our employers or our friends see this and trust our God too!

What amazing thoughts for today!