The city of Denver is a hub for potential
hipsters. One of my favorite things about the hipster culture is that they are
rebellious in unique ways. They are riding bikes with capes, they
are wearing skinny jeans while sipping strange coffee drinks, they are playing
instruments they handmade in underground nightclubs, and they are writing
inspirational quotes on bathroom stalls.
One evening at a coffee shop, I noticed this quote written on
the stall.
“life is like photography, you develop from the negatives.”
I am type of person who tries my hardest to avoid negatives
at all costs. I am a control freak and a perfectionist. Experiencing trials and
difficulties is my worst enemy and greatest fear. Yet, leaders often express
that the trails grow them the most. One of my
favorite biblical leaders is Joseph, who could express that
the trials he went through in his life were worth everything to bring him to be
one of the most influential men in all of Egypt (Gen. 41:39-41).
Joseph was one of the twelve sons of Jacob and when he was
seventeen the Lord gave him dreams. These dreams expressed that one-day Joseph
would reign over his family. You can only imagine the kind of pride Joseph felt. His brothers, being human, became extremely
jealous and plotted to get rid of Joseph.
Joseph’s journey brought him multiple misfortunes. His own
brothers sold him into slavery; he was accused falsely of adultery; and was
forgotten in prison for many years. God used Joseph’s trials to transform a
prideful man into a humble man. After two years in prison Joseph is called to
interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. This time when Joseph interprets the dreams he
credits God instead of himself (Gen 41:16). Joseph is granted the second
highest position in Egypt under Pharaoh and saves the country from starvation.
Later, Joseph gets a chance to reconcile with his brothers
who began this chain reaction of poor events. Joseph’s words show that the
trails have brought him to his great success. Joseph said to his brothers, “And
now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for
God sent me before you to preserve life…So it was not you who sent me here, but
God.” (Gen 45:5,8).
During the desert seasons and the never-ending trials, God is
working. He is orchestrating behind the scenes to prepare and equip His people
for amazing things. Everyday I struggle to understand this truth as I walk in
fear of my next suffering. Leadership is difficult, one of the most difficult
tasks to be called to. Leadership doesn’t call the fainthearted, but calls
those who hope in God’s promises that the trials have a purpose.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of
various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces
steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
When photos are produced we typically only see the positives,
forgetting about the process it took to become the beautiful, brilliant picture
we see before us. Positive change doesn’t happen in a day. It’s a process with
trails of various kinds. Remain steadfast. Keep the hope that God is using the
negative pictures to make the full grand effect of the positive picture that is your life.
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