The story of Joseph can be heartbreaking, inspiring, and encouraging. The part of his story I want us to think about today is when he used his talents for good. For example, in Genesis 40 we read that Joseph is imprisoned and interprets dreams of those who work for Pharaoh. Here again, Joseph is found in a place where he should not be because of things beyond his control. But God is always with him. Joseph chooses not to hide his talents of dream interpretation and shares information with the Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and chief baker. He did not have to do this and after doing so, even asked the one who had a more favourable interpretation, to be kind to him and asked him to tell Pharaoh of his wrongful conviction. The cup-bearer didn’t follow through.
Today I’m wondering of times we have been in situations or places we didn’t really want to be or places we were put in because of something beyond our control. Some examples: maybe you’re stuck in traffic, maybe not being there by choice, but directed by a detour or an errand that had to be done; in a grocery store during a busy time because your timing doesn’t work out to go at a less busy time; or in the principal’s office; or in a time-out corner. Now, thinking about whatever situation or place you were in – keeping that a solid visual in your mind. The second part is thinking about what talents we have been given by God. Some of the easiest ones that come to mind are compassion, kindness, prayer, finances, music, humour, being good with children, our field of work, etc. Has there been a time where you were in a situation or place and you were able to use your talents to do some good even when things are going bad?
I think of going to the grocery store and there is a huge line up. I’m five people behind the person being served in the check-out. The employee looks like they’re wearing a name tag with the extra “Trainee” sticker underneath. Near the end of the transaction, the customer discovers they didn’t have enough money in their bank account to cover the cost of their purchases. The trainee now has to help the customer take some items off their bill in hopes to get through the transaction with dignity. The person two people behind the customer being served is huffing and puffing. Muttering under their breath words like, “this is ridiculous” and “maybe you should get a real job” and “who trains these people”. In essence, degrading both customer and trainee.
What would you do? What could you do? What would you hope all of us would do? Maybe some would offer to pay for the customer’s overages but would the customer accept this kindness? Maybe some would confront the ‘huffer and puffer’ and try to get them to settle down. Maybe some would leave the line and take a little longer to look around the store to make sure they didn’t forget anything. Maybe some would try to keep the child behind them entertained as they become fussy. Maybe some would crack some jokes and share some humour and try to spread a little joy and change the mood of the situation.
The one thing we all can do while we are out in the world, whether we are in a situation beyond our control or not, is to pray. There are so many around us who have things going on in their lives that we may learn about. What if the world walked around in prayer instead of reacting to situations in our human ways? Blessing and praying for each person we pass, each person we interact with, each car that honks, or more. I think then that our souls would share positive energy that could counteract the negativity that seems to be building.
So think about the God-given talent(s) you have and how you can use it/them in different ways and in different scenarios.
Here’s a video for us today: Ed Sheeran’s “What Do I Know”. It has a good little message
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l11mUSu7aeA
A prayer for us today:
Loving God, thank you for knowing what the world needs and for seeing who we are in this time and place. Help us to continue to find and to use our talents as you call us to. Help us to look for moments to change a negative into a positive and how we could do something within it. Be in our hearts and our minds in each moment of our day. Thank you for this day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Today I’m wondering of times we have been in situations or places we didn’t really want to be or places we were put in because of something beyond our control. Some examples: maybe you’re stuck in traffic, maybe not being there by choice, but directed by a detour or an errand that had to be done; in a grocery store during a busy time because your timing doesn’t work out to go at a less busy time; or in the principal’s office; or in a time-out corner. Now, thinking about whatever situation or place you were in – keeping that a solid visual in your mind. The second part is thinking about what talents we have been given by God. Some of the easiest ones that come to mind are compassion, kindness, prayer, finances, music, humour, being good with children, our field of work, etc. Has there been a time where you were in a situation or place and you were able to use your talents to do some good even when things are going bad?
I think of going to the grocery store and there is a huge line up. I’m five people behind the person being served in the check-out. The employee looks like they’re wearing a name tag with the extra “Trainee” sticker underneath. Near the end of the transaction, the customer discovers they didn’t have enough money in their bank account to cover the cost of their purchases. The trainee now has to help the customer take some items off their bill in hopes to get through the transaction with dignity. The person two people behind the customer being served is huffing and puffing. Muttering under their breath words like, “this is ridiculous” and “maybe you should get a real job” and “who trains these people”. In essence, degrading both customer and trainee.
What would you do? What could you do? What would you hope all of us would do? Maybe some would offer to pay for the customer’s overages but would the customer accept this kindness? Maybe some would confront the ‘huffer and puffer’ and try to get them to settle down. Maybe some would leave the line and take a little longer to look around the store to make sure they didn’t forget anything. Maybe some would try to keep the child behind them entertained as they become fussy. Maybe some would crack some jokes and share some humour and try to spread a little joy and change the mood of the situation.
The one thing we all can do while we are out in the world, whether we are in a situation beyond our control or not, is to pray. There are so many around us who have things going on in their lives that we may learn about. What if the world walked around in prayer instead of reacting to situations in our human ways? Blessing and praying for each person we pass, each person we interact with, each car that honks, or more. I think then that our souls would share positive energy that could counteract the negativity that seems to be building.
So think about the God-given talent(s) you have and how you can use it/them in different ways and in different scenarios.
Here’s a video for us today: Ed Sheeran’s “What Do I Know”. It has a good little message
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l11mUSu7aeA
A prayer for us today:
Loving God, thank you for knowing what the world needs and for seeing who we are in this time and place. Help us to continue to find and to use our talents as you call us to. Help us to look for moments to change a negative into a positive and how we could do something within it. Be in our hearts and our minds in each moment of our day. Thank you for this day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.