“But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.” Genesis 40:14-15.
I’ve often heard the phrase, “Bloom where you’re planted.”God works right here, right where we are now, although sometimes we find ourselves wishing we were elsewhere. He is the “I AM.” Present. I believe that.
But what happens when the present is uncomfortable or downright abusive? What if the present is a prison sentence?
Joseph’s own family betrayed him by selling him into slavery. All that he knew vanished and he was forced to serve those who could care less about him and who most likely treated him with contempt. He was a nobody. His life was disposable. No familiarity of place or person or food proved a comfort. As far as he was concerned, all his comforts, all his life was a world away–never to be seen again.
From his story in Genesis we see that he served his captors faithfully. Perhaps we could say that he bloomed where he was planted. Does that mean that he didn’t beg God for his freedom every single day of his life while he was traveling about in the caravan, in Potiphar’s house or in prison? We know that he wanted out of prison. He said to the cup bearer, “Remember me.”
There are some circumstances where, like Joseph, we can say to God (not the cup bearer), “Remember me (and get me out of prison!).” That is not a sin. In the meantime, we do our best to be thankful, to serve others, and to get our eyes off of ourselves.
So true!