Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Genesis 37:5-11 (NRSV)

Once Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream that I dreamed. There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright; then your sheaves gathered around it, and bowed down to my sheaf.” His brothers said to him, “Are you indeed to reign over us? Are you indeed to have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more because of his dreams and his words.

He had another dream, and told it to his brothers, saying, “Look, I have had another dream: the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” But when he told it to his father and to his brothers, his father rebuked him, and said to him, “What kind of dream is this that you have had? Shall we indeed come, I and your mother and your brothers, and bow to the ground before you?” So his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.

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Reflect

Joseph was a favorite son, cherished by his father, but resented by his brothers. We really don’t know what kind of person he was at the time of this passage: a child spoiled by his father’s attention, an extraordinarily gifted individual, or just an ordinary person who got it right part of the time.

We do know he had a dream, two in fact, and it infuriated his brothers and irritated his father. Who knows if Joseph had any idea the dreams meant anything, but he shared them. From this side of history, we have an advantage over Joseph and his family. We know they came true. We know God gave Joseph the dreams.

Today God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, sometimes asking us to share the words with others, but not everyone will receive the words with joy. We may be ostracized, belittled, or ignored. Joseph was kidnapped and sold into slavery, but we know that wasn’t the end of the story. God had a long-range plan for Joseph, and God has one for us. Knowing this can give us the courage to speak and to live as God’s children.

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Pray

Dear Lord, help me to recognize your voice in whatever form it may come. Grant me the wisdom to know if and when I need to share your message with others. Give me the courage to speak when I know that I should, whatever it may cost me, knowing your plan is right on schedule. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go with God.