Contacting The Divine, Connecting the Earth

In continuance of the discourse of yesterday, we'll be spending the week looking at some models. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, we'll adopt a scientific approach in examining these models. These stories were written for our learning and instructions (Romans 15:4). Today we'll be starting with Joseph.

PRINCIPLE 1: RECOGNIZE THE SOURCE OF YOUR GIFTS, INSPIRATION OR IDEA - GOD.
Joseph started out with a gift (just as we all do). He had a divine deposit. He had the ability to dream and interpret. Dreams are God's way of communicating instruction to mankind just as Job 33:15 says;

In a dream, for instance, a vision at night,
when men and women are deep in sleep,
fast asleep in their beds—God opens their earsand impresses them with warning. 

PRINCIPLE 2: USE YOUR GIFTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY(CHURCH, HOME, WITH FRIENDS, ETC)
You may disagree but I discovered that Joseph interpreted his first dream to his brothers and this (plus the fact that he was his father's favourite and was probably a spoilt brat) made his brothers hate him so much. He arrogantly declared the meaning of this dream he had even to the point that his father had to rebuke him. How else could they have known the meaning of his dream if he didn't interpret it? So Joseph started out by using his gift on himself. 

PRINCIPLE 3: USE YOUR EXPERIENCES TO PERFECT YOUR GIFT

A few years of hardship in Egypt helped Joseph refine his character and his administrative skills. He was obviously gifted but he also learnt how to manage resources so well that twice his bosses left all they had in his charge.

PRINCIPLE 4: LOOK OUT FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP OTHERS WITH YOUR GIFT OR IDEA (DO IT FOR FREE)

Joseph's gift moved to another level-he now began interpreting dreams for others. How did the opportunity come? By observation.

PRINCIPLE 5: EVERY DIVINE IDEA/INSPIRATION IS BUNDLED: LOOK FOR THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE INSPIRATION/IDEA.

Finally Joseph had the opportunity to stand before the king of Egypt and he was prepared. If you read the story in Genesis 41:14-33, you'll find out that Joseph was asked to come and interpret a dream but he went further than that. He interpreted the dream and now looked for a practical application as a solution to the problem presented. He communicated God's mind (by interpreting the dream) and then explained what needed to be done as a result. I believe this is where his experience as an administrator kicked in.

God hides things, honour and respect come to men that investigate such matters till they discover the hidden treasures ( Proverbs 25:2 my paraphrase).

For those interested, there will be a workshop on how to access and unlock divine creative streams on Sunday 18th September. Click here to get the details.

N.B. I tried to find out if Joseph's story was a historical fact or just a religious myth and found this.