They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.

Genesis 37: 18-19

Remember when you were younger, when adulthood was just beginning and you had dreams of what life would be? Some have called it the innocence of youth. A.W. Tozer commented, “If we’re young in years, we don’t have so many questions to answer. We’re not so cynical. We haven’t been beaten down and betrayed until we’ve lost faith.”

In the verses above we a take a peak into the life of the young Joseph, the favorite son of Jacob, the patriarch of Israel. Joseph had dreams of how his life would turn out. While we don’t all have the kinds of dreams Joseph dreamed, there are pivotal moments in our lives that leave a lasting impression. I remember the words two influential people spoke to me when I was younger. I heard their words as a challenge and now, many years later, I remember how those words have helped shaped me – for the better, I think.

Even though his father rebuked him and the others didn’t share his version of the future, Joseph was confident in the purpose of his life. Still, in the years that would follow I am sure Joseph must have questioned his dreams while holding on to the hope of seeing their fulfillment at some point in the future. 

What about us? It is my belief that God wants what is best for us. As my Dad reminded me more than forty years ago, it may not always be the easiest way.