God's plans are way better

Here's Joseph's story in three parts: his brothers put him in a pit; his boss put him in a prison; and God put him on a throne. What can we learn from Joseph? (1) Our dreams may not go to our plan. Joseph's dreams (Genesis 37:5-10) were about his own power. God's plans included Joseph being in power, but were first about saving a nation. God's plans weren't incompatible with Joseph's, but they were massively better. Rather than us just growing our own empire, God wants to grow his Kingdom, which benefits everyone.

(2) Others may knock us to our knees. But on our knees is a good place to land. If God is in control of our life (hint: he is), then even when people 'mean evil against' us, God means to use it for good (see Genesis 50:20). When we can only see the evil, go straight to God with it. He can bring us through, and put us into a stronger place because of it.

(3) God does it all. Joseph took a few opportunities to arrange power for himself, but he fell flat (Genesis 40:23). God's all for us being proactive in our plans, but he also wants to make sure we remember that real success comes when we stay close to him. After all, God-less leadership has been a problem for humanity throughout history?



So what now? Have a God-focussed day. Thank him for who he is, for what he's done for you, and that his plans are way better than yours.





— SCRIPTURE —

'God turned into good what you meant for evil.' Genesis 50:20 TLB
— SOULFOOD —

Gen 1:1-2:3, John 1:1-18