Years ago I got a shirt that simply says: Your Story Matter. The longer I’ve had it, the more convinced of it I’ve become.
I believe two things:
Your story matters. And…
You can live a better story.
Everybody has a unique and powerful story. We can learn a lot about our own story by looking at the story of Joseph. His story is found in Genesis 37-50.
Three truths about your story:
1. YOUR STORY HAS A UNIQUE DESIGN :: Genesis 37:1-4
We are introduced to Joseph when he’s just a teenager. We learn that he is the youngest child in his family and is favored by his dad. His brothers hated him and were jealous of him. Joseph had a dream that pointed to a day when all of the family would bow down in front of him. When he told this dream to his brothers, they hated him even more.
Joseph’s story had a rough start. Behind the dream he had was the call and purpose of God on his life. He didn’t fully understand it as a teenager, but God was going to do something great through his life.
Everyone of us has a call and a purpose on our lives. Usually, we discover it by paying attention to the things that frustrate us and break our hearts. We may not see the big picture at first, but the longer we walk with God the clearer the calling becomes.
2. YOUR STORY HAS A LOT OF UPS and DOWNS :: Genesis 37-50
Joseph’s story had a lot of ups and downs. Here are a few of them:
⬆️ Had the Dream
⬇️ Told His Brothers
⬇️ Thrown into a Well
⬆️ Rescued
⬇️ Sold into Slavery
⬆️ Serves in Potiphar’s House
⬇️ Falsely Accused by Mrs. Potiphar
⬆️ Meets Cupbearer and Baker
⬇️ Cupbearer Forgets
⬆️ Stands before Pharaoh
⬇️ Reunited with Brothers
⬆️ Forgives
⬆️ Saves Egypt
Your story has a lot of ups and downs as well. These ups and downs are not punishment; they are preparation for what God has for you.
God is far more concerned about developing your CHARACTER than he is your COMFORT.
3. YOUR STORY CAN BE USED TO SHAPE DESTINY :: Genesis 50:15-20
Joseph’s brothers were afraid that Joseph would get even with them and punish them. Their dad died, so they thought their days were numbered. They were wrong.
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” – Genesis 50:15-20
Joseph discovered the redemptive side of his story – because of all he had been through he was able to save the lives of many.
Your story has a redemptive side. God can use your story as part of his story to save the lives of many.
I encourage you to:
- Surrender your life fully.
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Then surrender every single day.
Your story matters.
THE 140:
God can use your story as part of his story to save the lives of many. Click To Tweet
This devotional is one in Sugar Hill Church’s First 30 devotional series for college students. To access the entire series & podcasts be sure to check SHC’s site each day, as new ones are added daily. (Because we know you are busy, just click here & save as bookmark.)
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