preparation for leadership

The Joseph of Genesis became the 2nd highest ruler of all Egypt...appointed by Pharaoh to rule the land as his governor.  This was quite a promotion for a Hebrew who had started his time in Egypt as a slave and then progressed to several years in prison with hard core criminals.  This wasn't exactly the kind of resume that typically leads to the highest of government positions.  So how are we to understand that Joseph reached the pinnacles of power?  Are there lessons for success that we can apply?  I think there are two lessons.  Firstly, Joseph never appeared to seek position or power.  It found him.  Secondly, Joseph experienced the personal power of God in his life and was humbled by that reality.  He was a humble man who knew that God was his source of strength, God was his protector and provider and God had a plan for his life.  This deep trust in God provided vision that Joseph clung to even when his closest family denied him and sold him into slavery.  Because of his personal bond with God, Joseph never felt abandoned or alone, even when he was a foreigner in Egypt, a slave in the house of Potiphar, or a prisoner who had been innocently condemned.  When he was given an opportunity to show God's truth and reveal the meaning of important dreams to Pharaoh he refused to take credit, when perhaps he could, because he was keenly aware that God had not only been real in his life...God was absolutely aware of everything he thought, said and did...and Joseph knew that his greatest strength came from completely leaning on God.  Joseph's ambition was a simple one...trust God, obey God, walk with God.

Perhaps we can benefit from this example as we walk through the circumstances of our lives as well.

Genesis 41:¹⁴ Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh. ¹⁵ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it."

¹⁶ "It is beyond my power to do this," Joseph replied. "But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease."

Blessings,

Rob Smith