Today, the Scripture is taken from: Genesis 37 and Genesis 39-50

Theme Verse :

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

If you're looking for a model on what faith-work integration looks like, you can learn a lot from Joseph. He lived a life of integrity, even when it cost him. He extended forgiveness to people even though they wronged him. He openly testified about the one true God. He kept the Lord at the centre of his life at all times, especially when he was entrusted with stewardship at his workplace.

Whether you live and work in your native culture or a foreign one, you now live cross­ culturally as a citizen of heaven. Those of you living in foreign cultures will appreciate Joseph's challenges living in a foreign land. If this is you, Joseph's story will have even more to teach you. I'm guessing you weren't sold into slavery but I am sure you could identify with Joseph’s challenges navigating an unfamiliar set of cultural norms.

Joseph wasn't a superhero or stained-glass saint, though. Yes, he developed into a godly, wise, and faithful man. He started off as a bit of a bratty teenager, and there are moments in his story when he seemed to struggle to do the right thing. When he shared  his dreams with his brother, they were jealous of him. Thereafter, he was sold into slavery. When Potiphar accused him of wrongdoing, he kept his integrity and was thrown into prison.

While in prison, God gave him divine wisdom to interpret Pharoah's dreams. Through God's providence and favour, Joseph's career grew into a glittering success. So much so that he became the second most powerful person in Egypt by the age of thirty.

For many of us, this makes Joseph more relatable. It also shows us that the point of Joseph's story isn't how amazing Joseph is. He was a young man, striving to serve the Lord where God had placed him. However, circumstances did not work in his favour. Yet, he kept his faith and maintained his integrity.

Joseph's story is about how amazing God is. The hand of the Almighty Lord was in the life of Joseph. God orchestrated events such that Joseph was elevated to a high position in Egypt. This verse echoed the truth in the life of Joseph: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28 (ESV)

And God is amazing. He is able to intervene on your behalf, as he did for Joseph. At the conclusion of Joseph's story, he was able to proclaim that, "they meant it for evil but God intended it for good to save many lives." Finally, his family and the people in Egypt escaped famine. God empowers you to point others to him.

That's good news for all of us.

Over the next few weeks, you will learn important lessons from Joseph's example. But, more than anything, our hope for you is that you grow in your understanding of who God is. That you come to know and love him more deeply. That's going to be the foundation for any impact you have in the workplace.

The prophet Jeremiah wrote:

''Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,'' declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Although Joseph is a great example to follow, he is, at the end of the day, only an example. But God is the true and living God who is with you-who is in you-as you seek to live a fully integrated life. As you seek a fully integrated life, review any dreams or inspirations you may have regarding your workplace. Is God part of those dreams or aspirations? If not, entrust them to the Lord. He is able to work all things beyond your expectations. It is stated in Proverbs 16: 3, "Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established." (ESV)

Let’s pray.

“Lord, thank you for the way that You had worked in the life of Joseph. We pray and entrust our jobs into Your Almighty hands. Whatever phase we are at right now, be it at the start of our careers or aspiring to rise in our careers, we pray that You bless us with unwavering faith to know that You are an amazing God who works all things for our good. May we be faithful stewards that bring others to You. In Jesus' name we pray,   Amen.”

Time for Reflections

1. In your flyover reading of Joseph's story, what are some things you see about the character of God?
2. Have you thought of Joseph as a worker in a foreign culture before?
3. Have you ever thought of yourself as working cross-culturally at where God has placed you ... working in the world as a citizen of heaven? Please share your thoughts.