Lessons for a Gypsy

List out all you have done in your life and you may sound like me: a gypsy. I have been a waitress, a secretary, worked in retail, sold manufactured homes, drove a cab, was a professional Christmas tree decorator, an editorial assistant, a staff writer, a grant writer, a volunteer coordinator, a medical office manager, a mother, a wife, a friend, a parishioner and do you know what that qualifies me for? Me neither, but God does. What makes me qualified to do this blog? The world has one answer but God has another. Those He calls He qualifies. Let’s look at a perfect example: Joseph.

(Genesis 37-46 is the story of Joseph.)

The next to the last child, Joseph was loved dearly by his parents. His father looked on him with special favor, because he was the first child born of Rachel, who Jacob loved dearly. 

Now, this kid Joseph had a problem: he did not know when to shut up.

I so know what THAT is like, since I have the same problem on a regular basis.

Let’s face it, little brothers get picked on, and Joseph had eleven older brothers. Little brothers also like to prove themselves to their older siblings, and that is where Joseph’s real trouble all began.

Now some of you may say, no, wait, didn’t his trouble begin with a fancy coat? Well, an extravagant gift from his pops did bring him a lot of negative attention from the jealous brothers, but it was not the problem. The problem was Joseph’s pride, and pride is a heart issue.

If I can, please allow me this observation: when other people have a wrong opinion, or attitude and it is directed to us, we have to be mature enough to realize one thing- it is their problem. Our only responsibility is how we react to them, not how they feel about us, or what they think. We should not jump through hoops to please them or impress them. We should serve God, and be who He meant us to be, and let the rest be. (Matthew 6:33)

Joseph felt he needed to impress his brothers, to earn their respect by boasting about what God had showed him in a dream, instead of allowing God to work things out in His time. Let it go, and let God promote you.

Now- Joseph did have a dream: a God-given dream. One he did not, and could not, at the age he was (just a teen) understand fully. And that dream was eventually accomplished, but what a road Joseph had to travel to get prepared for the fullness of it.

He was sold into slavery, (Genesis 37:36) and Genesis 39:2 says “The Lord was with him”. He put his head down and worked, and he got promoted. Then the unthinkable happens.  He gets sexually harassed, and then falsely accused of rape. Joseph’s life quickly took a wild turn, but he held his own.

Remember: he had talked too much before, as a kid, but now he was silent. Joseph learned part of the lesson God had for him. He did not cry “victim” He did not seek “justice”: he was still, and to anyone looking on - it looked like he was not only guilty, but now not worth anything. Now he was just another convict, a nobody: not worthy of esteem, respect, or trust, but Genesis 39:21 says the Lord was with him.

Have you felt like this? Like the world sees you as less than? Or worse yet, have you felt like they didn’t see you at all? Have you felt like things just are not working in your favor, because they are not going according to your plan or timetable? Do not give up. Press on. Keep going. Keep serving. (Genesis 40:4)

Joseph did and eventually he not only got free of the holding pattern his life seemed to be in, but he was promoted to the second highest office in the land. He interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, and he gave God the glory. (Genesis 41:16)

 “Pursue the desire of your heart in the name of Jesus, giving glory to God in both the big and the small things, and you will be in the will and call of God for your life”- Pastor Jimmy Kirby.” (What do you Mean…?)

This is the promotion that leads to the eventual fulfillment of Joseph’s very first dream. Do you think Joseph thought his life would take so many turns before his dream was achieved? He was thrown into a well, sold into slavery- twice, falsely accused of a crime, imprisoned, forgotten and discounted as unworthy. BUT GOD! God was with him, and God is with us!   Do not doubt that! Do you think that while all this stuff was going on, Joseph saw the big picture? No, but God did.

So when you are locked in that cubicle, or imprisoned in circumstances you feel like are insurmountable, remember Joseph and the lessons we can take from him.

Lesson one for a gypsy: Don’t let our pride get in the way.  (Proverbs 16:18)

Lesson two for a gypsy: God is for us –so who can be against us?  (Romans 8:31)

Lesson Three for a gypsy: Serve no matter where you are. (Genesis 40:4)

Lesson Four for a gypsy: Give God the glory in all things, big and small. (Genesis 41:16)

As you travel through life my fellow gypsies, you are being prepared, so what lessons are you paying attention to? 

Be blessed and be a blessing and remember that prepare is a verb.