FOLLOWING GOD...part two

Acts 7:9-10"Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh King of Egypt; so he made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace."

Isn't it funny how the first thing we think of when we suffer is that it is because of something we did wrong or a lesson we need to learn? I wonder if Joseph felt that way. That kind of thinking can be a real trap, because many times the calamitous event you experience (like Joseph's) is not for any reason other than -- it is God's way of moving you from where you are to where He wants you to be.

I call this "Following God, part 2 (FG2)" -- all it requires of us is the willingness to grow -- notice I didn't say "learn from the experience." So often when we go through a difficult time, we think it is because God is trying to teach us something -- so we try to learn from the experience and many times learn the wrong thing. If Joseph had done so, he might have "learned" not to trust his brothers, or go places by himself, etc.

The key to an FG2 experience is to watch for and remain open to the opportunity. Joseph did so -- rather than be negative and depressed -- Joseph chose to follow God. As a result God gave him "wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh." Notice the words "enabled him" -- God prepared him with wisdom and created the opportunity for him "to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh." But it was Joseph who acted upon the opportunity.

Have you ever been in a difficult spot, despite doing all the right things? So much so that as you replayed your moves over and over again in your mind, you would have done exactly the same thing? Maybe you had (or are having) an FG2 experience. Maybe God is moving you from where you are to where He wants you to be. Are you open to new opportunities?

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