Good Morning! Purposeful living in simple terms means, “Living every moment of our life with the sole aim of fulfilling the very purpose why God created us and is keeping us alive in this world.” It is very much true that as we go through different kinds of experiences in life God continues to fulfil His eternal purposes in our lives. Pastor Rick Warren in his book “Purpose Driven Life says, “Other people are going to find healing in your wounds. Your greatest life messages and your most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts.” Our thought for reflection this Friday morning is, “Our God wants us to respond to the needs of those around us, as He would do.”
When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” (Genesis 40:6-7).
Joseph was in the prison for no mistake of his own or for any other despicable crime. In spite of becoming an innocent victim of circumstances and false accusation, Joseph continued to remain confident in God’s justice and vindication. He was like a wounded prisoner, with many deep hurts and grief in his heart. But instead of grieving over his own pathetic condition, Joseph responded compassionately to the pain and sorrow of his fellow prisoners. In other words, Joseph responded to needs of others than worrying over his own misfortunes or suffering:
- Joseph SAW Pharaoh’s officials as God saw.
The Bible says that Joseph saw that Pharaoh’s officials were “dejected”. Not only that, he asked them with compassion and concern, “Why your faces so sad today?” (Genesis 40:7). Looking within and worrying over one’s own misfortune or suffering is a sign of immaturity. But looking out and seeing the sorrow of others as God sees, in the midst of one’s own suffering, is definitely a sign of spiritual maturity. As someone who knew that God had a purpose in sending him to the prison, Joseph saw and responded compassionately to the dejection of his fellow prisoners. Are we wasting our sorrows by worrying over our own difficult situations or seeing outward and responding to the sufferings of others as God wants us to?
- Joseph SEIZED the opportunity to be witness for his God.
When Pharaoh’s officials informed Joseph that they both had had dreams but there was no one to interpret them, Joseph made one of the most important statements about his omniscient God: “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams” (Genesis 40:8b). In other words, Joseph, though was in the prison, seized the opportunity to be a witness for His God and His ability to interpret any dream or mystery. When we see others dejected and desperate in their lives, do we seize those opportunities to be a witness for our God and His ability to handle their situations?
Whether Joseph was in his papa’s home, or in Potiphar’s house or in the prison, he knew that God always had a purpose and plan in his life. Thus, wherever he was, Joseph fulfilled his purpose of existence. Are we living with a sense of purpose and fulfilling God’s plans in our lives?
Prayer
“Dear Lord, forgive my self-pity over my own challenges in life and self-centredness which have prevented me from seeing and responding to the sufferings and problems of those around me. Give me the grace to seize every opportunity to be a witness for you and your ability to handle any challenge in life. Help me to live with a sense of purpose in life and to respond to the needs of those around me throughout this day and all through my life. In Jesus’ name Amen! Blessed Weekend! Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9