Skip to main content

Boxed

And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison (Genesis 39:20; KJV).


The story of Joseph in the Bible is one of the stories that are so dear to me in a lot of ways. But like many people, I've always considered it a cruel journey of a confined man that God decides to show mercy. But on a second thought, what if it's not a "deliverance from oppression" story, but the delivery of a packaged gift to the world at an appointed time.


It's good that we have a common understanding of a thing, but it's important that we see and understand things in a positive light. Because how we see often determine the trajectory of our lives. If all we see and deduce from an event or story is soaked in negativity and misery, then it might be hard to be excited about anything in life or hope for better days ahead.

Being boxed is definitely different from being caged or imprisoned. They might look alike, but one is waiting to be revealed while the other is going to break free. Gifts stay in boxes waiting to be delivered to the right recipient within a time frame.  

When Joseph's history is being read in the light of a packaged gift to be delivered to Egypt at an appointed time, then it makes a lot of sense when visions, dreams, or aspirations have to tarry before they happen.

At the time Joseph was going through all these, he definitely wasn't seeing it the way we see it now. It was a personal experience, just like ours is now, and it must have hurt in a lot of ways. Every one of us at some point have felt the bitterness of confinement, but we should keep to heart that we are gifts to be received at an appointed time.


Some of us are sure of where we are going, but we can see the delivery man taking a different route, longer than the expected journey just to deliver a different package to its destination, while we wait on God in the truck. Yet, we will wait. Seeing others run ahead while we are still in the crowd cheering them on and asking "God when?" at the same time. Wait for your turn.

God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Cre­ator of all you can see or imag­ine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows ev­ery­thing, in­side and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind (Isaiah 40:28-31; MSG).

See it this way. When a package is being sent, there is a date for its arrival or delivery. What if you were a Christmas gift sent in February? Or Easter package sent since June? You have to be patient for your time and learn on your journey. Your time must come, and when it does, your value won't be the same and there will be a meaning to your rising.

That's why I don't think there's any compari­son be­tween the present hard times and the com­ing good times. The cre­ated world it­self can hardly wait for what's com­ing next. Ev­ery­thing in cre­ation is be­ing, more or less, held back. God reins it in until both cre­ation and all the crea­tures are ready and can be re­leased at the same mo­ment into the glo­rious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful antic­ipation deepens (Romans 8:18-21; MSG).
You are a packaged gift waiting to be delivered to the right recipient—your world and they await you earnestly to receive you.

Share with your family and friends, you might be helping someone out.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Wrap Ups

Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out ( Ecclesiastes 7:8; MSG). The end justifies the means and starting could be great, but there is nothing as fulfilling and satisfying as the wrapping up of a thing with strength and grace. It is better not to start anything at all than to give up halfway. If we must start a thing, then we must follow through to the end. It builds discipline, consistency, and focus. When a person sets out for a journey, the thing expected on the way can only be assumed but not accurate. Which makes the destination and finishing well a necessity for greatness and forging further. This year has been amazing and some many things were unexpected, but regardless of the emotions experienced, God is good! When we thought it was over and there was no way we will make it, He showed and made a way. The most important thing when we are wrapping up anything is Thanksgiving. It could have only been God. If only we c...
Post a Comment
Read more

Beyond the natural laws

    Laws are laid down principles to help people to walk in certain directions. It is structured, firm, and sometimes rigid. Laws are expected to always follow the same pattern and anyone found doing differently will be accused and penalized. The scribes and Pharisees were always angry at the ways and teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ because he wasn't doing the same as them yet have mind-blowing impacts better than theirs. He taught, people listened and yielded, but they force people to do it their own way (Mark 6:1-3).    They are ignorant that even though we have one big God, He is diverse in his ways and acts. No wonder people find it difficult to believe in the ways and characters of a child of God. It is a life led by the wind of God's Spirit because it's beyond the normal laws they believe in. Natural laws are principles generally accepted by people and passed down from one generation to another. We are Christians. We operate in the supernatural ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Fear in the Process

There is an African proverb that says, "the demon you've known for a while is better than the angel you just met". As weird as this sounds, many people consciously or unconsciously act it out. This shows the hardness of people's hearts towards change. Change is constant, but it can be a very weird process and experience. The Israelites desired to go back to Egypt and continue the life of slavery and pain that they were used to than to be in the wilderness and uncertain of what the promised land looked like. Yours might not be as dramatic as the Exodus. It could be the Lord telling to you take steps about your finances by saving and sowing. Or leaving the life that is not accurate with the word and plan of God for your life. It could be for you to stop saying to yourself and others, "That's who I am and I can't change." Our change experiences are different. You know what the Lord is addressing in your life. And it may have raised questions of doubt li...
10 comments
Read more