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.
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