Genesis 9-10 (NKJV) Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”
According to Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, the seven mountains or spheres of influence are: government, education, entertainment, family, religion, media, and business, and all of us will fall under one of them. Therefore, we need to know what God has called us to do so that we can be a person of influence in the sphere that He has placed us.
It’s not only about how we begin the calling, but finishing it well. Walking in God’s will does not exempt us from challenges and obstacles, but as the people of God, we should find comfort in the fact that He will never leave us nor forsake us on the journey, even during times when we feel as if we are in the valley or the depths of our lives. In fact, knowing that we are walking in His call and His will should give us a solid foundation during times of adversity, trial, and tribulation.
For Christians, there are typically four safeguards to consider before deciding to walk out God’s will and calling for our lives. These safeguards are first, a given Word from God; second, the inner witness of the Holy Spirit; third, godly counsel; and lastly, dreams or visions. God can speak to us in many different ways. Therefore, we have to be open to how God speaks to us and calls us.
There are many lessons we can learn from Joseph’s life. Joseph was in the government sphere of influence. In recent years, we have seen major changes sweep across different industries. Some of us feel as though we are down in the pit, while others might be at the peak of their career or business. But we should remember that all of us have a calling on our lives, whether or not we feel like we are walking in it. Joseph’s life shows us that a delay does not mean a denial from God when we are walking in His will.
Joseph’s career development wasn’t smooth sailing, but he knew its endpoint because God was part of the plan. It had been revealed to him in the second dream, even though he wasn’t sure how it would come about. Many of us would have given up, become bitter against God and others, if we had lived through Joseph’s life. We need to remember that God is sovereign, and His purposes will be fulfilled through us if we consistently choose to walk with Him and not give up.
Reflection: Are you aware of God’s calling in your life right now, even if your current season feels like a “pit” rather than a platform?
Sermon Series: Are You Joseph?
延迟不等于拒绝
创世记 37:9-10 后来他又做了一个梦，也告诉他的哥哥们，说：“看哪，我又做了一个梦，这次太阳、月亮和十一个星向我下拜。”约瑟将这梦告诉他父亲和他哥哥们，他父亲就责备他说：“你做的这是什么梦？难道我和你母亲、你弟兄果然要来俯伏在地向你下拜吗？”
根据“学园传道会”（Campus Crusade for Christ，现称 Cru）的创始人比尔·布莱特（Bill Bright）的观点，社会中有七个主要的影响领域（或称“七山”）：政府、教育、娱乐、家庭、宗教、媒体和商业。我们每个人都处在其中的某一个领域。因此，我们需要明白神对我们的呼召，好让我们能在祂所安置的领域中成为有影响力的人。
回应神的呼召，不只是如何开始，更在于如何走完全程。行在神的旨意中，并不意味着没有挑战和拦阻；但作为神的子民，我们可以在旅程中得着安慰——祂必不离开我们，也不撇下我们，即使是在我们感觉身处低谷或人生深处的时候。事实上，当我们知道自己是在神的呼召与旨意中行走时，这会成为我们在困难、试炼与患难中的稳固根基。
对于基督徒来说，在决定回应神的旨意与呼召时，通常可以参考四个重要的“护栏”：第一，神所赐下的话语；第二，圣灵内在的印证；第三，属灵前辈的劝勉；第四，异梦或异象。神会用多种方式向我们说话，因此我们需要对祂说话的方式保持开放的心。
从约瑟的一生中，我们可以学到许多功课。约瑟是在“政府”这个影响领域中被神使用的。近些年来，我们也看到各个行业经历了巨大的变化。有些人觉得自己正处在人生的“坑”中，也有人正站在事业或生意的高峰。但我们要记得，无论我们是否感觉自己正行在呼召中，其实每个人的生命都有神的计划与呼召。
约瑟的一生提醒我们：当我们行在神的旨意中时，“延迟”并不代表神的“拒绝”。他的成长之路并不顺利，但他知道最终的结局，因为神在他的计划中。这个结局早在他的第二个梦中就已经向他显明，尽管当时他并不知道过程会如何展开。如果我们经历约瑟所经历的一切，很多人可能早已放弃，甚至对神或对人产生苦毒。
因此，我们需要记住：神是掌权的。只要我们持续选择与祂同行，不放弃，祂的旨意必定会在我们身上成就。
默想：
即使你当前的光景更像是在“坑”中，而不是在“高台”上，你是否仍然清楚并相信神在你生命中的呼召？
讲章系列：你是约瑟吗？