How Your Gift Will Make Room for You: Lessons from Joseph’s Journey
The story of Joseph in the Bible is one of resilience, faith, and the power of God’s provision. From being cast into a pit by his brothers to being sold into slavery and later imprisoned, Joseph faced numerous trials and hardships. Yet, through it all, he remained faithful to God, and his gift ultimately made room for him.
In Genesis 39, we find Joseph in prison, a second valley of despair and disappointment. It would have been easy for Joseph to give up hope, to focus on his past misfortunes and despair over his current situation. However, Joseph chose to focus on the same God who had brought him from the first valley. He kept his eyes on his breakthrough, not his breakdown.
The second valley often comes as a result of our faithfulness to a temporary situation that God wants to move us from. It is a place of discomfort and uncertainty, but it is also a place of purpose. God uses the valley to shift us to our next place, to prepare us for the blessings He has in store.
In the valley, we must stay faithful and use our gifts. The worst thing we can do is be silent and allow ourselves to fall into despair. Instead, we should see our gifts as an SOS, a beacon of hope that someone will see and respond to. Our gifts are not meant to be used only in comfort but for God’s glory in all circumstances.
Proverbs 18:16 (NIV) tells us, “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” Your gift will make room for you, even in the darkest of times. So, continue to use it, continue to pray over future events, and trust that God is working in the valley to bring about His perfect plan for your life.