Pause for Thought: Joseph’s story tells us to hold on to dreams in tough times

Our scarecrow is Joseph and his Technicolor dream coat. Not just a Lloyd Webber musical but also a story found in Genesis chapter 37 to 48.

One of the lessons we can learn from Joseph is to hold on to your dreams and ambitions. Joseph’s life had more ups and downs than a rollercoaster, but he held on to his dreams.

He made some mistakes by enjoying the favour that his father gave him which caused jealousy from his elder brothers. It didn’t help that he enjoyed telling his brothers that he dreamed about the greater success that he would have above them.

Joseph went through a lot of adversity. He was sold as a slave and his father was told he had been killed. He was imprisoned after declining the advances of his boss’s wife! And then his nation went through severe famine and he had the pain of knowing that his family were suffering through it.

But Joseph held his dreams and ambitions. God had given him the gift of interpreting dreams through which he found favour with the Pharaoh.

Take a quick trip back in time

It was an interpreted dream that enabled the nation to prepare for a severe famine by gathering and storing food during the years of plenty to the extent that the land where Joseph served was able to provide food for surrounding nations – including his brothers.

Joseph subsequently was reconciled with his family, He had fulfilled his dreams and ambitions by being in a position of authority and influence, which he used to help many people.

Are you struggling with adversity caused by the virus? Jobs have been lost and ambitions seemingly dashed. You may feel very low and wonder how you can fulfil all your dreams. The future may look bleak.

I believe that God wants us to hold on to our dreams and ambitions even through the darkest times. He will give us resilience when all we feel is hopelessness.

It says in Proverbs 16vs3 “Commit to the Lord everything you do. Then he will make your plans succeed.”

Rev Jonathan Haigh is the minister at Victoria Hall and Greenhill Methodist Church.

www.greenhillmethodistchurch.com

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