Overcoming Common Leadership flaws that were found in some Biblical Characters: Joseph’s indiscretion that made his confidence come across as arrogance

I like Joseph! Perhaps it's because as a youngster I was a day-dreamer...perhaps it's because I've had several dreams trashed, or perhaps it's because I've experienced a fair share of losing friends in times of difficulty down through the years.

Whatever the reasons, I find an encouragement in Joseph's story. It's more the story of his life from age 17 to 30 that fascinates me than the story of his exuberant boyhood or his great success as a mature adult.

The years from 17 - 30 are difficult for many people. I wish I could say that my greatest failures were limited to those years for myself, but I was able to successfully stretch out my years of failure far beyond just those 13. That, alone, could make Joseph a hero to me.

I've pondered a question that I've timidly held up to God...without any discernable answer, "Was it really necessary for Joseph to spend 13 lousy years forgotten and imprisoned just to overcome a flaw of indiscretion?"

He hadn't even 'sinned' - as far as I can tell.

I would prefer to think that his brothers had the problem, that the rich dude and his air-head wife in Egypt had the problem, that the butcher/baker/candlestick maker (okay, there wasn't a candlestick maker) had the problem, etc...

But that wouldn't account for Joseph having to spend 13 years, dead to the world, suffering not only obscurity but powerless to change his own course or determine his own existence.

No, if I am to be consistent in my belief in the Sovereignty of God then I have to believe that the purpose of those 13 years was to be of benefit to Joseph's development and having him in the right place at the right time.

He definitely had a lot of time to think, and re-think, and evaluate. We don't know what went on between his ears, but that is where development takes place.

The cocky kid of 17 would not have been able to fill the role of 'prime minister' - and certainly no one would have given any credibility to his advice & leadership. I don't doubt for a moment but that Joseph, at 17, thought he was equal to any task. It wasn't his confidence that was lacking, it was his immaturity reflected in his indiscretion that had to be tempered...and that takes time/troubles.

Time and troubles go together. We don't gain the credibility and capability without the tandem team. As a kid Joseph was able to discern dreams but wasn't able to discern the need for discretion in moving those dreams.

Lots of people have 'vision' for their glorious future but aren't able to perceive ownership in the mess of their present. Most 'visionary' people are frustrated by the 'lack of vision and purpose' by those whom they think are muddying up the present.

Too many Christians are so intent on a 'rapture' or 'getting to heaven' that they have little perspective of joy or fulfillment being stuck in the muck of humanity. It's as though they think that the only reason for being born is to hurry, get past this life, and get to heaven.

Too many Christians spend a lifetime of dreaming, hoping, longing, sometimes complaining, and miss the opportunity that can come even in captivity and obscurity if one is preparing and discerning.

Of course I'm not speaking, necessarily, of literal captivity...sometimes our lives/jobs/circumstances just seem like captivity. :)

I would encourage you to 'center' yourself in your circumstances - look to, and listen to, those around you. Find yourself - in bearing with them, loving them, caring for them, encouraging their dreams. Be discrete about your own dreams, be discerning about your motivations, cast your cares on Him because He really does care for you.

And He hasn't forgotten you. Someday the doors to your opportunity (destiny) will open and you must be credible.