The In Between

 Call it what you want – training, transition, waiting – most of us would love to skip over the in between times.  The time between a goal and the achievement, between a prayer and the answer, between a dream and the fulfillment, between the challenge and the victory.  But the in between is what forms the reality of the future.  In the day to day, the mundane we set the direction of our lives.  The very time we want to skip over is the time when the foundation of our lives is built.  A foundation that either sets us on a sure and steady path or one that is hastily built and sets us up for quick results without long term change or satisfaction.

Let’s take a look at Joseph’s story in Genesis 39.  God has revealed to Joseph that he will be a ruler, even over his own family.  But Joseph’s today looks a little different; he finds himself as a slave in Egypt. Yet, in spite of the circumstance, we read that God’s hand was on Joseph and he found favor in the sight of his master, Potiphar.  In time Potiphar trusted Joseph so much that he put everything under Joseph’s command and spent his days with only the concern of what he should eat.

God’s hand was not limited by Joseph’s circumstances and it is not limited by ours either.  Joseph could have done just enough to get by. He could have complained and had a bad attitude.  He could have claimed to be waiting on God, and held back on engaging in what was right in front of him.  But Joseph choose to work hard, live with integrity, and become successful right where he was.  What about us?  Look at where you are in life right now.  If someone were to observe you for a day or two would they see that God is with you?  Would they say that your hand is successful in all you do?  And how about the people in your circle of influence right now?  Do they trust you?  Do they see you as faithful?

Today is the opportunity to prepare ourselves, to learn, to grow, and to allow God to use us.  Our goals and dreams should motivate us to faithfulness right where we are.  They should give us hope that fuels us to live for God now as we prepare for and anticipate the future.

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“The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.  Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge. It came about that from the time he made him overseer in his house and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s  house on account of Joseph; thus the LORD’s blessing was upon all that he owned, in the house and in the field.  So he left everything he owned in Joseph’s charge; and with him there he did not concern himself with anything except the food which he ate.”