God: A Micromanager? Nah, He Trusts Us to Do Our Part
A Devotional by Ceola J.
“Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food.”
Years ago, I used to watch what is still my favorite movie of all time, Jesus of Nazareth, followed by all of Cecil B. DeMille’s faith-based movies. Then, some time later, Joseph, David, and Esther were released on DVD. They became some of my favorites and my Friday-night specials. I would watch them over and over again. I think I watched Jesus of Nazareth so much that I eventually broke the DVD. You might be asking why I am telling you this story.
It is because our pastor has been teaching a series called “The Joseph Series,” and it has been good. I am probably a little partial because not only have I watched the movie so many times that I could probably play all the characters, but I have also read Joseph’s story many times in the Bible. His story and Esther’s, outside of the story of Jesus, are my all-time favorites.
So, this past Sunday, our pastor continued the series and said several things that just hit. Probably because they were areas where Father God had been dealing with me for a few months now. And so, as I thought about what to write for this week’s devotional, this thought came to me: Father God does not call us to live passively, waiting for Him to make every decision and complete every responsibility for us. Nah, He does not micromanage us. Let me be clear: that does not mean He is uninvolved in the details of our lives. He is very much involved in every aspect of our lives.
There are dreams and visions within us, just as there were dreams within Joseph. There is also a set time for those dreams to come to pass. Like Joseph, we may endure seasons of hardship, unfair treatment, challenges, temptation, and circumstances that try to make us doubt what we heard, what we saw, or what we once believed. But like Joseph, we cannot afford to lose the faith to believe in the dreams Father God has placed within our hearts even when it appears that they may never come to pass. It is in those moments that we must believe even more. We must also be ready. A “suddenly” can happen at any time. In other words, we must remain in a state of expectation and anticipation because we never know when Father God will say, “Now is the time.”
I often tell my husband that I look for Father God to speak through anyone and anything. He can speak through a television show, a commercial, a song, a movie, a person, and even a nonbeliever. The Word of God tells us that Father God can use what the world considers foolish to confound the wise. Always look for Father God, listen for His voice, and be prepared for Him to move suddenly.
The dreams Father God has placed within us for the benefit of His people are meant to be birthed and brought forth in the earth. As our pastor said, and I paraphrase, our gifts, dreams, talents, and abilities are storehouses that we should be building. Father God may not give us every detail of how to build the storehouse because He has already given us wisdom, knowledge, and the Holy Spirit.
He does not give a young man or woman a dream of becoming a medical doctor and then complete the entire process for them. That person must apply to school, attend classes, study, complete assignments, pass examinations, and receive the necessary training. For them, going to school is part of building the storehouse. We also have to do our part with the dreams and visions He has given us.
Joseph did not merely receive a dream and then sit back and wait for it to happen. He continued to serve. He remained faithful. He used his gifts. He interpreted dreams. He developed wisdom, leadership, and administrative abilities. Long before he stood before Pharaoh, Joseph was being prepared to manage what Father God was going to place in his hands. And when the opportunity suddenly came, Joseph was ready.
Listen, Father God will not call us to a dream and then expect us to remain passive. He is expecting us to build the storehouse He has placed within us. You have an important role and responsibility in the dream you have been given. What Father God placed inside you is not only about you. What if it’s intended to bless your family, your community, His people, and generations to come? Will you build what Father God has given you? Your storehouse might be what Father God will use to sustain His people.
Father God, thank You for trusting me to build with You and to prepare a storehouse from the dreams and visions You have given me. Help me not to become distracted or discouraged by challenges, hardships, unfair treatment, or temptation. Give me the strength, wisdom, discipline, and faith to continue building, knowing that You have already worked everything together according to Your purpose. Help me to remain sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and prepared for the moment when You say, “Now is the time.” Thank You for allowing me to fulfill this amazing dream with You and to use what You have placed within me to be a blessing to Your people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.