COVID-19 IS A WORD NOT A SENTENCEMuestra

Being Others Centered

Joseph looked out for the needs of others and ministered to them. He moved the focus from himself to others. Though he faced immense challenges, they were necessary, as God required him to be in Egypt to save not just his own people, but many civilizations from the famine. It is fascinating to see how beautifully God works out His plan through Joseph’s trials. Everything was engineered in such a way that Joseph was in Egypt at the right time.

Joseph realized that many of the situations he went through did not make sense, but he saw that there was a bigger plan that was unfolding. In Genesis 50:20, he says to his brothers, ’You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.‘ In our deepest suffering, even when we cannot make sense of our circumstances, may we realize that the Lord has an amazing plan for our life and may we, with complete trust, say we are available and ready to sign up for it.

All through life we may have needs that might not be met. Joseph learnt that it was not about him or his needs. He recognized that he was needed by the cupbearer, the baker, and by Pharaoh. The Lord had called Joseph to bless His people and to save civilization. God tells us, ‘I have this world and I’m in need of you’. As the Jewish rabbis say, we should not get up in the morning and ask, ‘What do I need?’ Rather, we should be asking, ‘What does someone else need?’

I must tell myself, ‘I am a needed person, not a needy person.‘ If I allow myself to focus only on my requirements, I will end up being depressed. I should recognize that I’m here to bless others. This will help me to be inspired and wake up each day knowing that I can be a blessing. In  2 Corinthians 1:4, Paul says God comforts us in all our afflictions so that we may comfort others.

Paul must have thought to himself, ‘Lord, I can do so much more without this thorn in my flesh; build more churches, teach more, preach more, write more epistles, heal more people’. But the Lord says, ‘I need you to serve me. I’m the one using you. I will give you the grace you need.‘ Then Paul learns to say, ‘Lord, I’m content even though my needs are not met. The power of God rests in me to accomplish His purposes through me’, Hallelujah! In the same way, Joseph recognized that God had a purpose for him that surpassed his own needs. This inspired him and encouraged him to live each day with renewed strength and grace.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, forgive us for being selfish and thinking only about our needs and desires. Help us to recognize that we are needed by you to bless your world and your people. What a privilege you have given us. The Son of man did not come to be served but to serve. So dear Lord, as you have shown by example, may we, too, be always ready to serve. In Jesus‘ name, Amen.

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