This fall we are studying the life of Joseph in our Bible Study. It is actually an interesting study about how God places "Dreams" in our lives. In Joseph's case they were literal dreams but any many cases they are ambitions that we have had since we were young. I know for me being a music teacher has been a dream of mine and now I am one. But that is about the only thing that has occurred and as I live that out I find that God has even more for me beyond teaching music. He is using that dream to lead me where he wants me to be.
Joseph had a dream that he would be a ruler over his brothers, even his father and mother. That dream was fulfilled yet on the path there were many rocky roads he had to travel. He went from being the favorite child to a slave, then he went from being the head slave to a prisoner. Yet God used all of that to place him second only to pharaoh in a land that was not his home. That is how the Israelites ended up in Egypt. That's a whole other story but my point is God uses even what seems to be like crushed dreams and makes us stronger so that we are prepared for those dreams to come to fruition.
My greatest childhood dream still remains today. I long to be a wife and a mother and yet at every turn that dream seems to be smashed. I had a plan that I would meet the love of my life in college and we would get married shortly after. By the time I was 28 I would have the first baby on the way and I would quit my job and be a stay at home mom. Well that is not occurring. I only dated one guy in college and that was a disaster and now I seem to be hitting a rock wall in the "man" department. A 6 year rock wall. I am 25 and not getting any closer to marriage as I perceive it, however I know God is using this time to prepare me. I am "in training" is how I look at it. God had to prepare Joseph to take on such a role as a leader of a country and being a wife and mother is of the same caliber. God is preparing me, showing me who I am in him before we add anyone else to the picture.
I am not saying that it is easy but I have hope. One day my dream will come true because I know that it is a desire in my heart that comes straight from God. Actually most days it is a big struggle. Especially when I have wonderful, eligible guys around who don't seem interested in any thing more than a friendship. And it is very hard seeing my baby sister married and with a baby. It almost seems like she is living my dream. But I was reminded today that we are to have joy and rejoice in everything, even in our trials and persecution. I am not forgotten God is just making me more complete in him everyday.
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Romans 5:1-5
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