READ: GENESIS 39
From the day Joseph was put in charge, the Lord began to bless Potiphar for Joseph’s sake. (V.5) The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. (V. 23)
Two days after arriving at our “snowbird retreat” in Homosassa, Fl, I eagerly mounted the saddle of my trusty Trek. Feeling good after two shorter rides, I embarked upon a 16-mile ride to test my cycling persona. Halfway through the ride my knees began to ache, my neck stiffened and my butt staged an active rebellion. I was forced to dismount and rest. Sore, stiff and numb are good words to describe my condition after climbing “Back in the Saddle,” all part of the necessary conditioning process.
Following my bike ride, I reflected back to the time I was promoted to Police Sergeant. Keeping with departmental protocol I was assigned to supervise a Patrol Shift after spending five years as an investigator. The department provided no supervisory training. I was on my own, flying at times by the seat of my pants, as I accepted the responsibility for the care and oversight of the officers assigned to my patrol shift. My supervisory ride was far from perfect, but I eventually learned “the ropes” of being a Sergeant. However, in the process, my ego took a bruising and at times my stress level was higher than normal. When all was said and done, I realized this was an essential career transition as my responsibilities would only increase as I advanced through the ranks to Deputy Chief.
Climbing back into the saddle, no matter your chosen field of endeavor, is never as easy as we often believe. Changing times and circumstances often catch us off guard and unprepared for new tasks and assignments. Think of Joseph, the pride of his father one day and sold into slavery the next by jealous brothers. Fully trusting God, despite being a slave, he climbed back into the saddle of favor by serving Potiphar loyally and efficiently. Yet a short time later he falls from his master’s grace and jailed on a false accusation of rape for resisting the efforts of Potiphar’s wife to seduce him. Rather than throwing in the towel, Jospeh uses his talents to improve the Chief Jailers life. From this point on, Joseph is put into the saddle of increasingly more responsible positions by God. He eventually becomes second only to Pharoah in terms of authority and power. Thanks to his exemplary faith and determination, Joseph remained on top of the” horse of life,” a true hero of our faith.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
How often have you been thrown off the horse of life only to have God call you to get “Back into the Saddle?” When it happens, take heart, for you have Joseph for a model and Jesus to boost you back up.
Dear Jesus, be my ever-present guide and strength as you call me to restart and redirect my life for you.