Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
There are many who will hold you back when you have large dreams. If you succeed, it may make them look bad. Many will do things to slow you down if not stop you from succeeding. My brother once said that the way my wife treated my Grandmother made the rest of us look bad. You have got to appreciate his honesty.
Joseph was the oldest son of Jacob by Rachel, his favorite wife. Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son and he was not shy about letting others know. You need to be careful about playing favorites. It causes jealousy and that is why Cain killed Able. Do you set up jealousy in your family or beyond? Are you careful to make sure you are fair to others? It is normal for a person to feel closer to someone that is more like them but caution is needed. Be careful not to show favoritism because it destroys self esteem and causes rivalry. Joseph was a dreamer! He was given a vision from God about the future. He knew, by the Spirit, what the future held! His brothers hated him because of these dreams.
Dreams can be powerful! If you can focus on a dream, you can accomplish things others haven’t even thought about yet. Joseph had dreams that God gave him about being the ruler of a country. That dream got him into trouble with his brothers who tried to kill him. But years later, he became second in command to Pharaoh, King of Egypt. That position saved the lives of his brothers, the Children of Israel (Jacob), God’s chosen people.
When my nephews were young, I used to tell them shamelessly that “you are one of my two favorite nephews.” As they got a little older, they figured out that I only had two nephews and complained about my statement. I told them that fact did not change anything and they were still my two favorites. I was careful to spend time with both. I went on class trips and soccer games and Boy Scout events of all sort. It was worth every minute of my investment. Another thing to consider is your level of encouragement. Do you use your words to help forward their dreams? I encouraged them to do whatever their dreams lead them to do. If they believed in themselves, all things were possible.
Do these stories exist today? Are their young people who could go beyond conventional wisdom? There are! All around us are people who can do great things if we encourage them. Will you use your words to bless them? Young people encouraged in the right direction will do amazing things. Be an encourager. Support a dreamer and watch what they will do!
Lord, thank You that You plant seeds of dreams in our hearts. Help us to protect them from trouble. Guide us to nurture and cultivate them into the blessings You intended for us. By Your grace and through Your power, help us to grow people and opportunities today!