Excellent (Even) in the Waiting – Part 1
One of my favourite stories in the Bible is the story of Joseph; not because he was a dreamer, not because he had a grace-grass-grace(again) story. No, I am fond of this story because Joseph was excellent, and the Bible’s record of his excellence always occurred in a period of waiting.
Walk with me.
The story of Joseph starts in Gen 37:1, but the first time we understand he waited was when he was thrown into the well. Although the Bible gives no account of what happened down there, I imagine there was a lot of shouting, pleading, maybe crying, but, certainly waiting.
Waiting in Potiphar’s House: In Gen 39, we are told after being bought by Potiphar in slavery, that “the Lord was with Joseph and he [even though a slave] became a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian”. (Gen 39:2, AMP).
The minute Joseph was taken out of the well and sold into slavery, he began a moment of waiting, waiting for a day when he would return home. But even with the anguish of being far from home, going from being his father’s favourite to slavery, he became a successful and prosperous man. Joseph worked hard and did as he was required while a slave in Potiphar’s house. He didn’t let his environment or circumstances dictate his attitude to work. He worked so hard, his master saw that the Lord was with him (v.3) and put him in charge of his household. We see Joseph’s excellence and how the favour of God not only rested on him but extended to all of Potiphar’s household and fields (v.4-6). Even though he was having the worst experience of his life, he was diligent and hardworking and so God blessed him.
Waiting in Prison: Even as head of Potiphar’s household, Joseph was not safe. Potiphar’s wife tries to sexually assault Joseph who is thrown into prison for refusing (v.7-19), but v.21 opens by saying “but the Lord was with Joseph and extended lovingkindness to him…” and once again, we see Joseph excel at being in charge of whatever task he is entrusted in prison, while waiting to regain his freedom. Joseph had gone from being a slave who, though confined to his master’s house, had the freedom to dictate how things went, to losing that freedom and being imprisoned.
Waiting is hard, especially when there is no end in sight to the waiting; but waiting is also a process and one which offers us the opportunity to grow and learn. Joseph’s time as a supervisor in Potiphar’s house and subsequently prison, were opportunities to grow and learn stewardship. He didn’t know it at the time, but he was learning management skills and God was preparing him for a position so important that it can be argued that even if he had found himself in Egypt through legitimate means, he would not have ascended to. Note that each time we are introduced to Joseph in a new scenario, we are told first off that the Lord was with him (Gen 39:2, 3 21, 23).
When you find yourself in a season of waiting, it is not a time to be idle, or twiddle your thumbs. It is a season of growth, a season of learning. It is easy to get discouraged, to think God can’t hear you, or doesn’t care, but it is important to keep your focus on Jesus, because at every point in time, the Lord is with you as He was with Joseph.
What are you waiting for? How long have you been waiting? This is your reminder to take your eyes off the clock and get to work. Whatever work is, whatever you have been entrusted with, do it with diligence (Col. 3:23), grow, and learn, trusting that God is with you in the waiting. He is preparing you for an outcome where you will put your learning to use. Don’t waste it.
In the next piece, we’ll finish looking at Joseph’s story and how he harnessed the period of waiting to align with God’s plan.
Wait for and confidently expect the Lord.
Be strong and let your heart take courage.
Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.
Ps 27:14
By Sis. Jennifer Aduro.