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-He sent a man before them, even Joseph, whose feet they hurt with fetters. Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him." Psalm 105:17-19. God tests and prepares His servants before fulfilling the destiny He has spoken over their lives.
If someone had asked me twenty years ago, "Do you see yourself becoming a pastor?" I would have confidently answered, "Absolutely not." Yet today, as I look back over the course of my life, I clearly see the invisible hand of God directing every step of my journey. What once appeared to be random disappointments, painful setbacks, unanswered questions, and unexpected detours were, in reality, divine preparations leading me to a place I never imagined I would be. One of the greatest lessons I have learned is this: God often prepares us for a destiny we never planned for ourselves. The Bible tells the remarkable story of Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Genesis 37–50). As a young man, Joseph received dreams from God that revealed he would one day become a great leader. However, while those dreams showed him *where* he was going, they never revealed *how* he would get there. Joseph's dreams never mentioned betrayal. They never mentioned slavery. They never mentioned false accusations. They never mentioned prison. Nor did they reveal the loneliness, humiliation, confusion, and years of waiting that would precede his promotion. This is often how God works. Sometimes God gives us a glimpse of our future—not to explain every detail—but to give us enough hope to endure the difficult seasons that lie ahead. Those moments of encouragement become the fuel that keeps us moving forward when life becomes exhausting, confusing, frustrating, and even embarrassing. Looking back, we eventually realize that every stage of the journey was preparing us for what we would become. Joseph's preparation began with his brothers' jealousy. Because their father favored Joseph, his brothers hated him. Their hatred became so intense that they plotted to kill him before eventually selling him into slavery in Egypt (Genesis 37:18–28). What appeared to be the end of Joseph's life was actually the beginning of God's plan. Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer, and became the overseer of his household (Genesis 39:1–6). His integrity, diligence, and excellent spirit caused him to prosper so greatly that the Bible says Potiphar entrusted everything he owned into Joseph's hands. In fact, Scripture tells us that Potiphar "knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat" (Genesis 39:6). Joseph's faithfulness during obscurity prepared him for leadership. Then came another unexpected trial. Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph after he refused her immoral advances. Although Joseph had done what was right before God, he was imprisoned for a crime he never committed (Genesis 39:7–20). Yet even prison became another classroom in God's preparation. The keeper of the prison recognized Joseph's character and entrusted him with the responsibility of overseeing the other prisoners (Genesis 39:21–23). Once again, adversity became an opportunity for God to develop leadership, wisdom, patience, and faithfulness within him. While imprisoned, Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's chief butler and baker (Genesis 40). At the time, those interpretations seemed to benefit someone else more than Joseph himself. Years later, however, that very gift would open the door to Pharaoh's palace. When Pharaoh dreamed troubling dreams that none of Egypt's wise men could interpret, Joseph was remembered, summoned from prison, and stood before the most powerful ruler in the nation (Genesis 41). By faithfully using the gift God had given him, Joseph was elevated from a prison cell to become governor over all Egypt. His gift made room for him. Looking back over my own life, I see many similarities. I never intended to become a pastor. I never imagined that my life's journey would lead me into ministry. Yet in hindsight, I can now see that every person God allowed into my life, every disappointment, every betrayal, every confusing season, every humiliation, and every victory was being orchestrated by Him. Nothing was wasted. Nothing was accidental. Everything served a divine purpose. Like Joseph, one of the gifts God entrusted to me was the ability to understand and interpret dreams according to the Scriptures. Ironically, it was this gift—along with the detailed biblical teachings the Lord placed in my heart—that ultimately brought my ministry into public view. My journey was often confusing and incredibly difficult. There were seasons when nothing made sense. There were moments when I questioned why certain events had to happen. But today I would not change any part of the journey, because I now understand that God was supervising every chapter of my life to align me with His divine purpose. This realization gave birth to a statement that has become one of my life's convictions: "The will of God supersedes any personal plans I may have for my life." I believe this is true for every child of God. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Romans 8:28 further assures us: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Notice that Scripture says all things. Not merely the pleasant experiences. Not merely the victories. But even the disappointments, betrayals, delays, losses, and painful seasons. God has an extraordinary ability to weave every experience together to accomplish His divine purpose. There is another principle that encouraged me greatly throughout my journey: "A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men." (Proverbs 18:16) God often develops our character through life's circumstances before He reveals our gifts to the world. The trials prepare us. The gifts position us. The character sustains us. If you currently find yourself in a season of confusion, disappointment, or frustration, I want to encourage you. Do not judge your future by your present circumstances. Do not assume that delay means denial. Do not mistake God's preparation for God's absence. He is working behind the scenes even when you cannot see Him. Remember Joseph. Remember David tending sheep before becoming king. Remember Moses spending forty years in the wilderness before leading Israel. Remember Paul spending years in preparation before his missionary ministry. God specializes in preparing people before promoting them. So, instead of continually asking, "Why is this happening to me?" perhaps begin asking, "Lord, what are You preparing me for?" You may discover that life is not happening to you. It is happening for you. A Prayer Heavenly Father, forgive me for complaining about my life circumstances. Help me to trust that You have a divine purpose for my life and that nothing You allow is without meaning. Open my eyes to recognize the gifts You have placed within me, and give me the wisdom, patience, and faithfulness to develop them. Continue molding my character so that I may be prepared for the destiny You have ordained for me. Let my gifts make room for me and bring me before those You have appointed to bless through my life. Above all, let Your perfect will be accomplished in me. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Pastor Kevin L. A. Ewing ewinglakevin@icloud.com kevinlaewing.blogspot.com www.kevinlaewing.com
