Issue #217, October 4, 2017
While in prison, it seemed like Joseph’s dream would never happen. But while there, two high officials of the king of Egypt, a cupbearer and baker, were placed under his care. The captain of the guard assigned them [the officials] to Joseph, and he attended them. After they had been in custody for some time, each of the two men– the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison– had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?” “We both had dreams,” they answered, “but there is no one to interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” (Genesis 40:4-8). The two men shared their dreams with Joseph and he gave them the interpretation which came true three days later. Joseph had no way to know that God would later use the cupbearer to bring him out of prison and into the palace. God used the dreams of these two men to teach Joseph and all servant leaders about dreaming with others.
Servant leaders see the dreams of others.
Joseph was simply doing his daily duties, perhaps bringing a meal to these two prisoners, when he “saw that they were dejected.” Joseph had many reasons that he could have been thinking about himself. He could have been reviewing in his mind the injustice of the past 11 years since he was sold into slavery by his brothers. He could have been reflecting on how wrong it was for him to be in prison. Instead, he noticed the faces of these two men! The focus of servant leaders is on others, not themselves. They are able to see beyond their own dreams and vision to acknowledge that others also have dreams. They don’t ignore their own dream but recognize that God also gives dreams to others. Serve others by seeing their dream.
Servant leaders share in the dreams of others.
Many leaders say, “Listen to my dream.” But remarkably Joseph said, “Tell me your dreams.” Then he listened. As far as we know, Joseph never told these two men that he also had a dream. But he was willing to listen to them and to hear their dreams. Servant leaders share in the dreams of others. They give the gift of time and attention to the dreams of others. Good leaders share their dreams; servant leaders listen to the dreams of others! This is an especially valuable gift when a more seasoned leader takes time to listen to the dream of a younger leader. Serve others by listening to their dreams!
Servant leaders support the dreams of others.
Joseph did not stop with listening. He went on to interpret their dreams, supporting their dreams to come to pass. God had called Joseph to be a dreamer, and although it seemed that his own dream would never happen, he shares his gift with these two officials. He learned that God wanted to use his gifts to support the dreams of others. Servant leaders are not threatened by promoting the dreams of others. They share their gifts to help others achieve their dreams. Serve others by supporting their dreams.
Joseph learned that dreaming with others is a part of God’s plan for leaders. He teaches us that leaders who can’t bless the dreams of others should not ask people to bless their own.
For further reflection and discussion:
- Am I attentive to the dreams of others around me? Do I know what inspires their hearts and fuels their passion?
- Who around me has dreams that I can listen to and support? What do I need to do today to listen to them? How can the gifts God has given me be used to support the dreams of others?
- Is there a younger leader around me that I can bless by listening and supporting? When will I do this?
- Am I threatened in any way by the dreams of others? What does this say about the condition of my heart?