Joseph was never the top dog. He always ended up the guy just under the top dog; a miracle because he always started out a slave or a prisoner.
Pharaoh's not a believer in Joseph's God. But Joseph shows him respect, anyway. And when he gets a chance, and is asked for advice, he makes sure Pharaoh knows where the advice is coming from:
It is not in me... God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do (you can read the whole story HERE)
There's not a word from Joseph about all the injustice he's gone thru -- sold as a slave by his own brothers! Falsely accused by a woman and thrown into prison for years for something he would never do! Shouldn't he take his one chance in front of Pharaoh to appeal for justice?
He won't. He just trusts and serves the guy over him.
And Joseph doesn't stop with answering the question his boss has asked. He goes on to give advice and lay out a plan on what should be done about it. His boss is so impressed (and relieved to find someone with some answers) he makes Joseph his vice-president and puts him in charge of everything. And a whole country is saved.
So even though you have no authority or title, things can get very interesting very fast when:
- God has His hand on you
- you refuse to complain
- you're committed to serve the person over you, even though they're an unbeliever
- and then that person over you is scared and has a personal experience and need far above their normal resources
When that person is then exposed to answers, incredible things can happen in their response:
Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God? Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are.
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One catch (you knew it, right?) -- the big moment is preceded by 13 years of smaller moments where Joseph's faith, trust and selflessness is tested, developed and proven. But he never looks at any of those smaller challenges as stepping-stones to bigger opportunities (or more suffering and injustice).
Each is sufficiently important on it's own. No expectations of this earning something more.
Which is an attitude that qualifies for something more.
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