A Dreamer's Gift

I am on a trip to Florida so I'm having a hard time both reading the Bible and keeping this up daily since my phone doesn't have blogging capabilities. I'm supposed to have read/studied Genesis 40 by yesterday so here it is.

We all have gifts from God but often times we question whether we are using our abilities as they were meant to be used or if they really did come from God. I guess we can look at Joseph's gift and sort of discern from them how God uses our gifts and maybe answer some other questions as well.

1. We all have gifts that God gave us to fulfill a certain need that no one else can accomplish. In a way, God had put Joseph in the position he was for various reasons, one of them was to help interpret these dreams for these men. Later on we'll also look at Joseph and how he was the only one in the kingdom who can interpret Pharaoh's dream and interestingly enough the dream itself came from God (remember that Egyptians worshiped thousands of deities). So if we are using our gifts where we are at right now in our present lives, know God allowed it so that we can demonstrate these abilities under these circumstances.

2. Our gifts are meant to remind us that all things come from God. I guess this is pretty self-explanatory and pretty obvious. It's also supported by verse 8 where Joseph gives credit to God, even to the point that he gives no credit to himself. This point will be more clear later after I explain the 3rd thing.

3. We must not expect immediate rewards or praises for performing those gifts that God gave to us. This says  two things about us: One, it tells us that we use our gifts to glorify ourselves and thus, our expectations rise from our desire to be glorified through the gifts, not through God first; Second, it reminds us that our gifts are for God's glory first. God gave us all gifts, and at times when we ask God "Why did you give me this ability when it's completely useless?" or "What's the point of being good at this or that?", we ask that question precisely because we are looking for immediate results for demonstrating those gifts, more often than not results for our benefit, not God's glory.

Look back at the chapter. It took Joseph two years to get out of prison after interpreting the chief baker and cup bearer's dream. There was no immediate benefit for him in terms of demonstrating that gift, other than the fact that maybe if he had some doubt, it would affirm that God really worked through him (which isn't really supported in the text since his faith seemed unwavering). How many of us would try to use that ability to get out of prison as soon as we can instead of waiting for God to accomplish His plan.

For those who aren't Christian, they ask this question all the time. In fact, that's exactly why they're not Christian. Some non-Christians would tell me "Exactly why would I need the cross anyway? I'm living a life as good enough as it is already" or "What's the point of having a gift like that?". For me, it's because Christ's death and resurrection was meant for my salvation yes, but I'm not realizing the benefits of that now, nor do I fully enjoy in that gift in the time being. First and foremost, Christ's death on the cross was mean for God's glory. To demonstrate not just our iniquities and our faults, but primarily His saving grace and mercy. A gift that is more than enough for a world like ours.