Issue #218, October 18, 2017
As Joseph interprets the dream of the cupbearer he sees a glimmer of hope for his own life and asks for a favor in return. “Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh's cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon" (Genesis 40:13-15). At last something positive seems to be happening and there is a glimmer of hope for Joseph’s dream. Finally, there is someone who will soon be in a position to help him! But Joseph’s hope was soon crushed. The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him (Genesis 40:23). Imagine Joseph’s hope on the day the cupbearer left prison. He imagined the cupbearer talking to the king on his behalf and waited for a knock on the prison door. Nothing happened the first day. Joseph probably thought that the cupbearer was waiting for a good moment to tell the king about him. But then a week went by, then a month, six months, a year and finally two years! Joseph learned that he could not trust in others to accomplish his dream; he needed to trust in God. Many dreamers see someone and think, “That’s the one! They have the money I need or the ideas I need to make my vision become a reality. They have the influence or the power. They will make my dream come true!” Joseph’s story teaches us that servant leaders learn to trust in God, not in others, to accomplish their dream.
Servant leaders learn to trust God’s program.
Joseph thought something would happen soon! But for two more painful years, he waited. Nothing seemed to be happening. God often seems to operate on a different timetable than we do! His program does not seem to go according to the timing we prefer. But as the author of time, He knows what He is doing and servant leaders learn to trust His timing. All leaders long to see their dream come to pass but servant leaders learn that sometimes God’s timing is not the same as theirs.
Servant leaders learn to trust God’s people.
Joseph thought he had identified the person that God would use to help him out but was soon disappointed. For Joseph, the cupbearer finally would help him. But first Joseph needed to learn to trust God to bring the right person and the right time together. All leaders look for people to help achieve their dream but servant leaders learn to trust God to bring the right people at the right time. They trust in God to bring the people rather than their own wisdom about who should be involved.
Servant leaders learn to trust God’s processes.
The dream of the cupbearer came to pass in three days but Joseph’s dream took years! God had more lessons for Joseph in these two years. God wanted Joseph’s trust to shift from men to Himself. He was teaching Joseph perseverance and patience, while strengthening his faith. It must have been difficult for Joseph to accept that God would use a different process for him than with the cupbearer. Through all the years that it took for Joseph’s dream to come to reality, God was at work in the process and timing. Servant leaders learn to trust that God is in control of the processes He uses to accomplish the vision.
Joseph teaches all servant leaders to accept His timing and methods as better than their own wisdom. Servant leaders trust God, not others, to bring the dream to pass.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Have I experienced frustration because my dream was not accomplished as quickly as I thought it would? What does Joseph’s story teach me about God’s timing?
- Who have I been focused on that I believe can help me accomplish my dream? Have I been putting my trust primarily in this person(s) or in God? What does Joseph teach me about who I am trusting?
- When my dream seems to be delayed, what does God want to teach me? In what ways have I learned the lessons and in what ways have I failed to learn? Is there any step God is inviting me to take this week to trust Him with the process?