At the beginning of the story of Joseph, in Genesis 37, God gives Joseph two dreams. Now think with me for a moment, if you were 17 years old, what would you do if you had two dreams that very distinctly resembled your family bowing down to you? Do you think you’d keep it to yourself? Well, Joseph didn’t either. He told his brothers and they resented and hated him because of it.
Dreams are vital in understanding what great things God has for your life. I’m not speaking only of spiritual visions, but of the desires that God has placed in your heart through your upbringing, environment, personality, gifting, talents and skills. For the longest time, I wanted God to do for me what He did for Joseph. But see, I have the perspective of Joseph’s entire story, so I already know how it was going to turn out for Joseph. The problem is, for my life, I want to already know how it is going to turn out so that I can start pursuing the dream God has given me. However, it doesn’t work like that. And it didn’t work like that for Joseph either.
Here’s a couple of questions to ask yourself that I’ve gleaned from the story of Joseph. These are foundational questions to ask before you find the why, how, and what of God’s calling and purpose for you.
- How committed will you be to follow the dream and calling God has put in your life?
- Are you willing to pay the price? Everyone who does anything significant pays a price.
- Joseph didn’t stop serving and following God even though He was betrayed by his own brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned.
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- Will you follow God’s calling even if your friends and family stab you in the back, disappoint you, and discourage you? Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery.
- Will you follow God’s calling even if other people say false things about you and what you’re doing for God? Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph.
- Would you be willing to go where no one else is willing to go to accomplish your calling? Joseph went to prison.
Jesus said a few things concerning the cost of following Him in Luke 9:57-62. “Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”” (Luke 9:62, ESV).
If you want to do something great, as Andy Andrews says, you must have a decided heart. You must commit to God’s calling, no matter what the cost.
How committed are you to the purpose God has for your life?