Even though he was detoured, waylaid, some would say stopped, Joseph kept looking for his dream. His dream lived in him.
From what I can gather Joseph didn’t have much, any, support from the immediate world around him. Potiphar and Pharaoh were not interested in Joseph’s dreams as much as Joseph was interested in his own, not even close. In fact, in that culture, slaves do not matter at all. So what if you have a dream?
Pharaoh’s dramatic dream now interpreted and in play had Joseph doing his job, what he was appointed to do. That was all that mattered to Pharaoh but not to Joseph. We know because he named his kids from out of the dream-pool that he had in his heart. His dream leaked out of his life.
1) Manasseh – first son – and means forget – “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” (Genesis 41:51, NIV)
2) Ephraim – second son – and means twice fruitful – “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” (Genesis 41:52, NIV)
I’m about 60; no make that 70% entrepreneurial. I see more potential than I ever could take advantage of, or in actuality that my wife would let me take advantage of. That means that I often live with an expectant anticipating heart.
I tend to be the guy that wants to move on the dream taking what is current and moving toward what I can see in my mind’s eye. I want what I perceive to best, and I keep looking for it around every corner.
From my narrow slant on the world I understand dreams, I understand heartbreak, and I know the fulfillment of dreams that were thought to be dead. I also understand expectations that fall short of what’s real.
Joseph’s dreams became a reality. Maybe mine will also.
Maybe yours can too.