The Challenge
Genesis 40: 14;23 "But when all goes well with you,
remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this
prison. The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him."
NIV
I had wanted a horse ever since I was a child and now I finally I had one but
wasn't sure I still wanted one. I had purchased Frank in the Fall and had been
busy working with him ever since. Throughout the winter trust was being
established and once Spring arrived I progressed to round pen and lunge line
obedience training. Never having had a horse before I was amazed at the amount
of time, effort and patience the training was taking. Never-the-less
I continued on until one evening I had had enough. Frank was refusing to follow
commands and was being downright ornery. Our training session ended up with me
hollering at him, flinging down the lunge line and stalking off in a fit of
temper up to the house, where I went straight to my computer and listed him and
the brand new cart I was hoping to train him to pull, up for sale via the
internet.
The next morning however after a good night's sleep and prayer I rethought my
decision and cancelled the ad. Having a pony and training him for the cart was
not just a whim on my part. It was something I had spent a lot of time thinking
and praying about and saving for, it was something I truly believe God had
blessed me with, a dream, a hope that he had placed in my heart, so who was I to
fling down the challenge of training and walk away?
Amazingly enough, just when I was so discouraged I was prepared to quit, things
turned around. Frank's training started to pay off and within a matter of weeks
he was pulling the cart with me in it.
How difficult it must have been for Joseph, who also had a dream which he
believed God had placed in his heart. Sold into slavery by his brothers, accused
of a crime he didn't commit and thrown into prison, helping others out, yet
again, and then having them forget him. I wonder did he too feel like flinging
the challenge to continue to live for God amidst the situation he found himself
in aside, giving up his hope and dream and mentally at least, stalking away? I
expect that much like you and I, he probably did have such times. In the end
however he kept going, doing what God called him to do, being a witness within
his circumstances, waiting upon God to open the way for him.
Likewise each of us experiences challenges as we strive toward our own God given
hopes and dreams. Each of us has times when we wonder, is this really of God, or
did I mishear his voice? We ask ourselves, is it really worth it or should I
simply throw in the towel? Today might be one of those moments for you, if so
hang in there. Rise to the challenge at hand on the wings of prayer and know
that success might be closer than you think.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for the hopes and dreams you have given each of
us. Bless us with strength, courage to rise on the wings of prayer and faith to
meet the challenges set before us that You might be glorified as the desires of
our heart reach their fulfillment. In Christ's name we ask. Amen.
Lynne Phipps lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, B.C.