Joseph: When Life’s a RollercoasterSample

Introducing Joseph: How to Live the Dream When Life’s a Nightmare

Life is not an elevator. It’s a rollercoaster. No matter how much we might love taking risks or engaging in adventure sports, most of us would probably prefer life to be a little more elevator, a little less rollercoaster. Over the coming days, we’ll explore the life and times of one of the best-known and most celebrated Old Testament characters, Joseph. Through Joseph’s story, we discover the faithfulness of God, working to accomplish His plans for our good and His Glory, even when things seem to have gone horribly wrong.

In Genesis 12:2-3 God says to Abraham, ‘I will bless you… and through your offspring, all families on earth will be blessed.’ Given this extraordinary promise to Abraham’s family, it may shock you that there was so much dysfunction amongst his descendants (like, parental favouritism and sibling rivalry). You may know from experience how destructive these relational sins can be. Thankfully, we’re reminded through Joseph’s story that we’re not alone in an empty Universe. There’s a Good and Loving God who created this world. Regardless of whether or not your parents planned you, God has a plan for your life. God made you and He doesn’t make mistakes.

God’s revelation to Joseph – the dream indicating he would rule over his brothers – must’ve seemed confusing and unlikely, if not impossible. In the same way, God may have given you dreams that don’t correlate with your current experiences. Your circumstances may have caused you to doubt your purpose and the promises of God, and perhaps you need to ask Him to reawaken the dreams, visions, and promises spoken over your life through Scripture and the Spirit’s Voice.

Joseph dreams of being raised up above his brothers, and the opposite happens. His jealous brothers push him into a waterless well then sell him to passing slave traders. You may never have been shoved into a pit, but it can feel as if your dream has turned into a nightmare. Maybe the nightmare was caused by someone else, or something beyond your control. Maybe you were partly to blame. Either way, all is not lost. No matter how terrible his brothers’ actions were towards him, God remained faithful to Joseph. In fact, in selling him into slavery and sending him down to Egypt the brothers were moving him closer to the fulfillment of the dreams God had given him – though none of them could see it at the time, least of all Joseph. Our dreams, too, are seldom fulfilled the way we imagine they will be – but God remains faithful, and His plans for us prevail.

As we continue to explore the remarkable story of Joseph – beaten-up brother, dreamer, leader, and forgiver – be encouraged that no matter how broken your background, or how great your sin, there is hope. Your past needn’t determine your future because Jesus offers forgiveness, healing, and change. God is faithful to fulfill the dreams He has given you, despite the nightmare of your past or current experiences.