When Wisdom Looks Like Folly: The Courage to Prepare

by Joseph | Dec 10, 2024 | Sharing

“The wise heart will know the proper time and procedure. For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter.” – Ecclesiastes 8:5-6 (NASB)

Imagine the whispers in Egypt’s marketplaces. Picture the sideways glances and subtle head-shaking as Joseph ordered the construction of yet another granary during a time of unprecedented abundance. “Why store so much when the harvests are plenty?” they must have wondered. “Surely this Hebrew dreamer has lost his mind.”

A thousand years earlier, the same whispers had followed Noah. Year after year, the master shipbuilder labored under cloudless skies, constructing an ark for a flood no one could imagine. Century after century, this story of steadfast preparation would echo through time, speaking to those rare souls who dare to prepare for what others cannot see.

The Loneliness of Divine Foresight

“By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” – Hebrews 11:7 (NASB)

There’s a unique kind of loneliness that comes with divine foresight. Noah felt it with every hammer stroke that echoed across dry land. Joseph experienced it as he systematically stored grain during years of plenty. Even the prophet Elijah understood it when he declared a drought under clear skies.

These men share a common thread: they acted on God’s wisdom when it appeared foolish to everyone else. Their stories teach us that godly preparation often looks like folly to a world drunk on temporary abundance.

The Weight of Sacred Knowledge

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” – Proverbs 9:10 (NASB)

Consider Joseph’s position. God had revealed through Pharaoh’s dreams what no economist could predict: seven years of abundance followed by seven years of devastating famine. This knowledge was both a privilege and a burden. With revelation came responsibility—the responsibility to act while others remained comfortably oblivious.

In our own time, we too may feel the weight of understanding seasons. When God opens our eyes to see beyond current prosperity, it carries an obligation to act. Like Joseph, we might find ourselves taking steps that others consider excessive or unnecessary.

The Courage to Look Foolish

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18 (NASB)

Perhaps the greatest test in preparation isn’t the work itself—it’s enduring the skepticism of others. When Noah built the ark, he wasn’t just constructing a vessel; he was building a testimony. Every plank laid was a declaration of faith in God’s word over popular opinion.

Joseph faced similar challenges. Imagine explaining to Egyptian officials why they needed to systematically store grain during the most prosperous period in memory. His position as Pharaoh’s appointed leader didn’t shield him from questioning glances and doubtful murmurs.

The Hidden Wisdom in Preparation

“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.” – 1 Corinthians 1:27 (NASB)

There’s a profound irony in how God’s wisdom often appears. Noah’s ark seemed unnecessary until the first raindrop fell. Joseph’s granaries looked excessive until the famine began. The five wise virgins’ extra oil appeared wasteful until the bridegroom delayed.

This pattern reveals a crucial truth: Godly preparation often seems excessive until it becomes essential. Like a life insurance policy, its value isn’t apparent until it’s needed. Yet when that moment comes, the difference between those who prepared and those who scoffed becomes stark indeed.

The Prosperity Paradox

“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” – Proverbs 27:12 (NASB)

Here’s a startling insight from Joseph’s story: The greatest threat to preparation isn’t adversity—it’s prosperity. During abundance, preparation looks unnecessary. The marketplaces are full, the crops are plenty, and the future seems secure. Yet it was precisely during Egypt’s most prosperous period that preparation was most crucial.

This paradox speaks powerfully to our time. When markets are strong and shelves are stocked, the call to prepare sounds like paranoia. But prosperity has always been God’s preferred time for preparation. The wise steward knows that abundance is not an invitation to indulgence but an opportunity for preparation.

The Ministry of Preparation

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NASB)

What’s often overlooked in these biblical accounts is how personal preparation became public provision. Noah’s ark didn’t just save his family—it preserved the animal kingdom. Joseph’s storehouses didn’t just protect Egypt—they saved surrounding nations, including his own family.

This reveals preparation’s higher purpose: it’s not merely about personal survival but about positioning ourselves to be God’s instruments of provision for others. When we prepare with God’s wisdom, we become part of His supply line in times of scarcity.

The Call to Courageous Preparation

Today, you might feel the gentle nudge of the Holy Spirit calling you to prepare. Like Noah, you might not see storm clouds. Like Joseph, you might be surrounded by abundance. Yet something within you resonates with the call to prepare.

Remember: wisdom often looks like folly until time proves it right. Noah endured decades of mockery before the first raindrop fell. Joseph stored grain for seven years before the famine began. Their vindication came not from human approval but from divine timing.

Prayer for Preparatory Wisdom

Father, grant us the courage of Noah and the wisdom of Joseph. Help us hear Your voice above the crowd’s opinions. Give us strength to prepare when others doubt, and wisdom to steward abundance with eternity in view. May our preparation position us to be instruments of Your provision for others in times of need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

Remember: The same God who vindicated Noah’s building and Joseph’s storing is calling His people to prepare today. Your obedience, though misunderstood now, may become someone else’s miracle tomorrow.

The Courage to Prepare: When God’s Call Conflicts with Our Comfort

by Joseph | Dec 1, 2024 | Sharing

In the quiet moments of our faith journey, God sometimes whispers directions that our emotions often resist. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the call to prepare – whether for ministry, for challenges ahead, or for serving others in times of need. Our feelings often push against such promptings because they often take us out of our comfort zone.  We often outright dismiss the leading of God and ignore the call as unnecessary worry or perhaps question if we truly heard from God at all.

Consider Joseph in Egypt. When God revealed the coming famine through Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph faced a monumental task. “Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance” (Genesis 41:34). Imagine the doubts that must have assailed him. Who was he, a former prisoner, to implement such a vast program? What if the dreams were misinterpreted? What if people resisted giving up their grain?

Yet Joseph’s response teaches us something profound about moving forward despite our doubts. He didn’t wait until he felt completely confident. He didn’t allow his emotions – which surely included fear, uncertainty, and perhaps even memories of past betrayals – to override God’s clear direction.

“Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh” (Genesis 41:46). Young, likely still carrying emotional scars from his brothers’ betrayal and his time in prison, Joseph nevertheless moved forward. His obedience wasn’t based on feelings but on faith in the God who had proven faithful through every pit and prison.

This intersection of divine calling and human doubt often becomes most apparent when God calls us to prepare for future challenges. Like Noah building an ark before any rain fell, we may find ourselves called to take actions that don’t make emotional sense. Our feelings cry out, “But everything seems fine!” or “What will others think?”

Consider these words from Proverbs: “A prudent person sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 22:3). Notice it doesn’t say the prudent person feels like taking refuge – they simply act on what they see, guided by wisdom rather than emotion.

The paralysis of doubt often manifests in three deceptive questions:

First: “Did I really hear from God?” This was likely the same doubt that plagued Noah during those long years of ark-building under clear skies. Yet Scripture teaches us that God’s voice becomes clearer as we obey: “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:17). Understanding often follows obedience, not the other way around.

Second: “What if I’m overreacting?” Joseph could have easily dismissed the dreams as mere coincidence. After all, Egypt had survived famines before. But wisdom often requires acting before the crisis is evident: “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts” (Proverbs 14:8, TLB).

Third: “What will others think?” This doubt particularly stings when preparing for uncertain futures. Yet Scripture repeatedly shows God calling people to prepare in ways that seemed foolish to others. “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark” (Hebrews 11:7).

Joseph’s story provides a masterclass in overcoming these doubts. Notice his approach:

1. He focused on God’s revelation rather than his emotions. When interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph immediately pointed to God: “It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh: God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do” (Genesis 41:28).
2. He acted with wisdom rather than waiting for feelings of certainty. “The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants” (Genesis 41:37). Joseph didn’t wait until everyone felt emotionally ready – he implemented necessary actions based on divine wisdom.
3. He prepared systematically despite uncertain timing. “Let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming” (Genesis 41:35). Joseph didn’t allow the abundance of the present to lull him into complacency about the future.

But perhaps most importantly, Joseph understood something we often forget: Preparation isn’t just about survival – it’s about service. “The people of all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph” (Genesis 41:57). His obedience to prepare, despite his doubts, positioned him to save not only Egypt but surrounding nations, including the very family that had betrayed him.

This reveals a crucial truth: When God calls us to prepare, it’s rarely just for our own benefit. Like Joseph, our obedience in preparing – whether spiritually, materially, or both – often becomes the means through which God provides for others.

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place” (Esther 4:14). Mordecai’s words to Esther remind us that God’s purposes will be accomplished – the question is whether we will overcome our doubts to participate in His plan.

Moving forward despite our doubts requires a fundamental shift in perspective. Instead of asking, “Do I feel certain enough?” we must ask, “Is God faithful enough?” The answer to the second question never changes, even when our feelings do.

Consider this promise: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). Notice the three counterweights to fear: power (God’s ability working through us), love (focus on serving others), and discipline (action based on truth rather than feelings).

When God calls you to prepare – whether for ministry, for challenges ahead, or for serving others – remember:

Your emotions are real, but they’re not reliable guides. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

Your doubts don’t disqualify you. Joseph served God effectively despite his youth and past trauma. “Let no one look down on your youthfulness” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Your obedience matters more than your feelings. “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22).

Let us pray: Father, like Joseph, help us to move forward in obedience when You call us to prepare, even when our emotions resist. Give us wisdom to distinguish between anxiety-driven fear and Your divine prompting. Help us to act not based on our feelings but on Your faithfulness. Guide us in preparing not just for our own security but for the service of others. And remind us that, like Joseph, our current trials may be preparation for future ministry. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Silent Chains: When Emotions Masquerade as God’s Voice

by Joseph | Nov 27, 2024 | Sharing

Prepare to Battle The Subtle Deception

Have you ever noticed how our emotions can become like Pharaoh’s taskmasters? They crack their whips, demanding our obedience, insisting we listen to their voices above all others – even God’s. Perhaps most dangerously, they often disguise themselves as divine guidance, wrapping our own comfortable feelings in spiritual language to justify the paths we already want to take.

“The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). How often do we say “God is leading me” when really we’re following the familiar pathway of our emotions? We might feel anxious about a decision and interpret that anxiety as “God’s warning,” when it’s simply our fear of change speaking. Or we might feel peace about a choice that goes against God’s Word, mistaking our emotional comfort for divine approval.

Understanding Our Emotional History

Our emotions don’t exist in a vacuum. They’re shaped by every experience we’ve lived through, every wound we’ve suffered, every victory we’ve celebrated. “Remember the former things long past” (Isaiah 46:9) isn’t just about historical events – it’s a recognition that our past experiences color how we interpret the present.

Satan, the master deceiver, understands this all too well. He knows exactly how to play upon our emotional history to create confusion and doubt. Consider Eve in the garden. The serpent didn’t begin with a direct lie but with a subtle question that stirred emotional uncertainty: “Indeed, has God said…?” (Genesis 3:1). He used this emotional manipulation to make Eve question what she knew to be true.

Learning from Joseph’s Journey

Consider Joseph, thrown into a pit by his own brothers. Imagine the crushing weight of betrayal, the suffocating fear, the burning anger that must have settled in his heart. These emotions had every right to become his masters. How easy it would have been for him to say, “God is telling me to take revenge” when it was really his hurt speaking. Yet somehow, in that dark pit and later in prison, Joseph learned to distinguish between his emotional voice and God’s true leading.

“But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him” (Genesis 39:21). Notice the profound truth here – God’s presence didn’t prevent Joseph’s imprisonment, but it gave him clarity to see beyond his emotions. While his feelings screamed “despair!” and demanded “revenge!”, Joseph chose to listen to a different voice.

The Enemy’s Manipulation

Look at how the enemy worked against Peter. Jesus warned him, “Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat” (Luke 22:31). What was this sifting? It wasn’t physical torture but emotional manipulation. Satan used Peter’s fear, his pride, and his past experiences to lead him to deny the very Lord he loved. The enemy knew exactly which emotional triggers would cause Peter to falter.

“The one who trusts in his own heart is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26). Why such strong words? Because our emotions, shaped by our experiences and often manipulated by the enemy, can be desperately unreliable. Think of how David’s emotions swung from confident praise to deep despair, sometimes in the same psalm. The difference was whether he was letting his feelings interpret his circumstances or letting God’s truth interpret his feelings.

The Jezebel Pattern: When Emotions Take Control

This struggle finds a darker mirror in the story of Jezebel. When Naboth refused to sell his vineyard, we see Jezebel consumed by rage and pride. These emotions weren’t just feelings; they became controlling forces that she likely mistook for righteous guidance. “So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal” (1 Kings 21:8). Her emotions didn’t just influence her – they possessed her, masquerading as justified actions.

How often do we find ourselves writing similar letters in our hearts? When anxiety whispers, “You must control this situation,” do we mistake it for God’s guidance? When shame declares, “You’ll never be enough,” do we accept it as divine truth? When bitterness insists, “You have the right to stay angry,” do we confuse it with God’s justice?

Finding God’s Still, Small Voice

Remember Elijah’s experience? God wasn’t in the wind, earthquake, or fire – all dramatic, emotional events. Instead, He spoke in “a still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12, NKJV). This teaches us something crucial about distinguishing God’s leading from emotional reactions. While emotions are often loud and demanding, God’s voice tends to be quiet, steady, and consistent with His Word.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Notice it doesn’t say “trust in your peaceful feelings” or “follow your heart.” God’s leading often requires us to step beyond our emotional understanding.

Breaking Free

Breaking free from emotional bondage begins with recognition. We must honestly ask ourselves: Am I following God’s voice or am I following my feelings and calling it God’s voice? Like the Israelites who said, “We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt” (Numbers 11:5), we often prefer the familiar slavery of our emotions to the uncertain freedom of true divine guidance.

The beautiful truth is that God doesn’t ask us to suppress our emotions but to surrender them to Him. David shows us this path: “Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8). We bring our emotions to God, but we don’t let them make our decisions.

Finding True Peace

“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons” (Romans 8:15). True peace comes not from following our comfortable emotions but from submitting them to our loving Father’s guidance. When we learn to distinguish His voice from our emotional echo chamber, we find a freedom that no feeling can give.

Prayer:

Father, forgive us for often mistaking our emotional comfort for Your guidance. Help us to discern between our feelings and Your voice. Like Joseph, help us see Your presence even when our emotions cloud our vision. Holy Spirit, grant us discernment to recognize when the enemy is manipulating our emotional history. Help us to still our rushing feelings so we can hear Your whisper clearly. Heal the wounds of our past that Satan would use against us, and anchor us in Your unchanging truth rather than our changing emotions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Walking in Wisdom: Hope and Preparedness for the Time Ahead

by Joseph | Nov 20, 2024 | Sharing

There’s a stirring in the hearts of believers around the world today – a sense that we’re witnessing the unfolding of ancient prophecies before our eyes. As we watch nations aligning in ways that echo Ezekiel’s prophecies of Gog and Magog, as we see the unprecedented movement of peoples and the explosion of knowledge that Daniel foresaw, many of us feel a quiet certainty that we’re living in extraordinary times.

Yet even as we witness these things, our hearts can remain at peace, anchored in the unwavering promises of God. “When these things begin to take place,” Jesus told us, “straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28). What profound comfort these words bring! Even as we see the signs of challenging times ahead, we’re reminded that every shifting shadow in our world points toward the dawning of our greatest hope – the return of our Lord.

The prophecies we see potentially unfolding – the coalitions of nations from the north, the increasing tensions around Israel, the rapid advance of technology enabling global control systems – these weren’t revealed to frighten us, but to prepare us. Just as God warned Joseph about the coming famine in Egypt, these prophetic insights are gifts from a loving Father who wants His children to be ready for what lies ahead.

In times like these, I’m often reminded of Noah. Scripture tells us he spent decades building the ark under clear skies, likely enduring mockery from those who couldn’t imagine the flood to come. Noah’s preparation wasn’t born of fear, but of faith – a faith that moved him to act on God’s warning while continuing to live and work in hopeful obedience. “By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household” (Hebrews 11:7).

We’re called to a similar wisdom today. The signs of the times – whether in the realignment of nations prophesied in Ezekiel 38-39, the increasing chaos in our world, or the technological developments that could enable the systems described in Revelation – these call us not to panic, but to prayerful preparation. Like Noah, we’re invited to take practical steps while keeping our eyes fixed firmly on God’s promises.

But what does this preparation look like? It begins, always, with our spiritual foundation. Jesus told the parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) to emphasize the importance of being spiritually prepared for His return. The oil in their lamps represents the Holy Spirit and our ongoing relationship with God – something that can’t be borrowed or bought at the last minute. In these days, more than ever, we need to be deeply rooted in God’s Word, steadfast in prayer, and connected to the body of Christ.

Yet we also see throughout Scripture that spiritual wisdom often leads to practical action. Joseph’s close walk with God led him to store grain for seven years. The Proverbs 31 woman’s spiritual wisdom manifested in practical preparation for her household’s needs. The early church, warned of coming famine, organized relief efforts before the crisis hit. These examples remind us that trusting God doesn’t mean sitting idle – it means acting on the wisdom He provides.

Perhaps you’ve felt the Holy Spirit’s gentle nudge to prepare – to set aside resources, to learn new skills, to strengthen community bonds. These promptings aren’t at odds with faith; they’re often expressions of it. Just as a parent provides for their children’s future needs, our heavenly Father often leads us to prepare for challenges He knows lie ahead.

But here’s the beautiful truth that sets believers apart: our preparation, while practical, is never merely about survival. It’s about being positioned to serve, to share, to be light in darkness. When we prepare with wisdom and faith, we’re able to be like the early church in Acts, who supported one another and reached out to their communities in times of crisis.

The prophecies we see unfolding remind us that time may be short, but they also remind us that God is sovereign. He who guided His people through the Red Sea, preserved them in exile, and protected the early church through persecution, remains just as faithful today. As we see the day approaching, we can prepare with hope, knowing that every sign pointing to troubled times also points to our coming redemption.

Friends, as we navigate these times together, let’s hold fast to the promise of Romans 15:13: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Let’s prepare with wisdom but without fear, knowing that whatever lies ahead, our God goes before us. Let’s strengthen ourselves in Scripture, in prayer, in community, and in practical readiness – not out of anxiety, but out of faith in the One who holds tomorrow.

And as we do, may we remember that our ultimate preparation isn’t for tribulation, but for triumph. For while we may see the shadows lengthening, we know the dawn is coming. Every prophecy fulfilled, every sign manifested, brings us one step closer to that glorious day when our faith becomes sight and our preparation gives way to celebration.

Father, grant us wisdom for these times. Help us to prepare with prudence while trusting in Your providence. Keep our hearts at peace even as we take action, knowing that You are our ultimate security. Use us to be lights in the gathering darkness, ready to serve and share the hope we have in Christ. And strengthen our faith, knowing that every sign of the times is also a sign that points to Your faithful promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Precious Currency of Time: When Tomorrow Isn’t Promised

by Joseph | Nov 17, 2024 | Sharing

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” – James 4:14 (NAS)

Have you ever watched someone blow out birthday candles and suddenly felt your heart sink? Another year gone. Another set of 365 days vanished like smoke. Time slips through our fingers like water, impossible to grasp or hold onto. Yet we often live as if we have an endless supply.

Today, as I was getting ready for work it really impacted me that there are so many minutes, hours, and years behind me.  I’ve always thought carefully about the time we have – and always tried to cherish each moment with the people I love.  Making the effort to really honor each moment still didn’t keep the time from rushing past me.  The thoughts and memories of my children seem like yesterday.  How can years have slipped by so quickly?

I am thankful for an eternity of time – that flows beyond this earthly life.

The Wake-Up Call We All Need

Picture this: You’re scrolling through your phone, maybe killing time while waiting in line for coffee. Suddenly, you see a post from an old friend – someone your age, someone who, like you, thought they had plenty of time. Except they didn’t. Their story ended mid-sentence, leaving behind half-written texts, uncompleted bucket lists, and words left unsaid to those they loved.

“So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12 (NAS)

This isn’t meant to scare you – it’s meant to wake you up. Each of us has exactly 1,440 minutes every day. No more, no less. The richest billionaire can’t buy an extra minute. The most brilliant scientist can’t invent more time. Time is the great equalizer, but it’s also our most overlooked blessing.

Joseph’s Journey: When Minutes Feel Like an Eternity

Consider Joseph, thrown into a pit by his own brothers. Can you imagine those minutes? The betrayal burning in his chest, the darkness pressing in, each second stretching like an eternity as he waited to learn his fate. Those minutes must have felt like years:

“They took him and threw him into the pit. Now the pit was empty, without any water in it.” – Genesis 37:24 (NAS)

But here’s the thing about Joseph’s story that we often miss: he didn’t know he was in the middle of a story that would save nations. He didn’t know that each painful minute was building toward something greater. All he knew was that time was passing, and he had choices to make about how to use it.

The Minutes That Changed Everything

Think about these pivotal moments in Joseph’s life:

• The minutes he spent choosing forgiveness over bitterness in prison
• The seconds it took to interpret Pharaoh’s dream that would save Egypt
• The moment he chose to reveal himself to his brothers, trading vengeance for reconciliation

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” – Genesis 50:20 (NAS)

The Reality Check We All Need

Let’s get painfully honest for a moment. Think about yesterday – can you account for all 1,440 minutes? How many were spent:

• Scrolling mindlessly through social media?
• Putting off that important conversation because it felt awkward?
• Saying “we’ll catch up soon” to people you truly miss?
• Waiting for the “perfect time” to pursue that God-given dream?

“Making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:16 (NAS)

The Brutal Math of Time

Here’s some math that might keep you up tonight: If you’re lucky enough to live to 80, you have about 29,200 days total. Now subtract your current age. How many days are left? Now consider:

• How many more times will you get to hug your parents?
• How many more summers do you have with your kids before they’re grown?
• How many more chances will you have to tell someone about Jesus?

“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” – James 4:14 (NAS)

The Urgency of Now

Joseph’s story teaches us that preparation can’t wait. When God revealed seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine, Joseph didn’t procrastinate. He acted immediately:

“Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance.” – Genesis 41:34 (NAS)

This wasn’t just about storing grain – it was about recognizing that time is a gift that demands immediate action. Joseph understood what we often forget: tomorrow’s opportunities require today’s preparation.

The People Factor: What Really Matters

Think about Joseph’s reunion with his father Jacob. After years of separation, thinking his son was dead, Jacob finally held Joseph again:

“Then Joseph fell on his father’s neck and wept on his neck a long time.” – Genesis 46:29 (NAS)

How many of us have people in our lives right now that we need to “fall on their neck and weep” with? How many relationships are we taking for granted, assuming there will always be another day, another chance, another tomorrow?

Making Minutes Count: Practical Steps

1. Start Today’s Revolution
   • Write down the names of three people you need to prioritize
   • Schedule specific times to connect with them this week
   • Turn off notifications during these dedicated times
2. Prepare Like Joseph
   • What skills do you need to develop for tomorrow’s challenges?
   • What spiritual disciplines need attention now?
   • What relationships need investment today?
3. Live with Eternal Perspective
   • How will your use of time today impact eternity?
   • What legacy are you building with your minutes?
   • Where are you storing your treasures?

A Prayer for Time’s Stewardship

Father, the thought of time’s swift passage brings both grief and gratitude to our hearts. We grieve the minutes we’ve wasted, the opportunities we’ve missed, the relationships we’ve neglected. But we’re grateful that You’ve awakened us to time’s precious nature. Like Joseph, help us to see that every minute – even the painful ones – can be used for Your glory and others’ good.

Lord, give us wisdom to number our days. Give us courage to have the hard conversations now. Give us strength to prepare for tomorrow’s challenges today. And most of all, give us hearts that beat in rhythm with Your eternal purposes, making every minute count for Your kingdom.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12 (NAS)

Remember: The next minute you have isn’t guaranteed, but it’s a gift. How will you spend it?