What to Do While You're Waiting on God | Genesis 37

Everybody's story is going to have Everybody's story is going to have setbacks. setbacks. setbacks. Everybody's story is going to have these Everybody's story is going to have these Everybody's story is going to have these setbacks. It is the way of the world. setbacks. It is the way of the world. setbacks. It is the way of the world. It's not you know and this is one of the It's not you know and this is one of the It's not you know and this is one of the things I had to learn is like it's not things I had to learn is like it's not things I had to learn is like it's not all God causing it. all God causing it. all God causing it. Some of it is like there's brokenness in Some of it is like there's brokenness in Some of it is like there's brokenness in the world. There's demonic forces in the the world. There's demonic forces in the the world. There's demonic forces in the world. There are things coming against world. There are things coming against world. There are things coming against God's plan in your life. Like we've got God's plan in your life. Like we've got God's plan in your life. Like we've got to take account for all of those things to take account for all of those things to take account for all of those things and not only or always blame God and not only or always blame God and not only or always blame God but in the midst of it God will work but in the midst of it God will work but in the midst of it God will work through it. through it. through it. This is the Crossroads Daily. No This is the Crossroads Daily. No This is the Crossroads Daily. No experts. experts. experts. >> No perfect people. Just honest >> No perfect people. Just honest >> No perfect people. Just honest conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when conversations about what happens when the Bible shows up in real life. >> Hey, I'm Chuck. >> Hey, I'm Chuck. >> I'm Jamie. >> I'm Jamie. >> I'm Jamie. >> I'm Kirsten. [music] >> I'm Kirsten. [music] >> I'm Kirsten. [music] >> I'm Miko. >> I'm Miko. >> I'm Miko. >> Hey, thanks for it. Man, this is fun. >> Hey, thanks for it. Man, this is fun. >> Hey, thanks for it. Man, this is fun. It's fun to just get to talk about the It's fun to just get to talk about the It's fun to just get to talk about the scriptures and Joseph. Joseph. scriptures and Joseph. Joseph. scriptures and Joseph. Joseph. [laughter] Oh, Joe, Joe, Joey, Joseph. [laughter] Oh, Joe, Joe, Joey, Joseph. [laughter] Oh, Joe, Joe, Joey, Joseph. Man, boy Joe. Yeah, you like him, Man, boy Joe. Yeah, you like him, Man, boy Joe. Yeah, you like him, [laughter] okay. [laughter] okay. [laughter] okay. What's the What's the relatability there What's the What's the relatability there What's the What's the relatability there for you? for you? for you? >> Uh I just thought it would be funny to >> Uh I just thought it would be funny to >> Uh I just thought it would be funny to >> Oh, yeah.

>> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, yeah. >> Oh, [laughter] >> Oh, [laughter] >> Oh, [laughter] I have an answer. I have an answer. I have an answer. >> But we do love Joseph. >> But we do love Joseph. >> But we do love Joseph. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> He's one of my favorites because of just >> He's one of my favorites because of just >> He's one of my favorites because of just in his youth his like lack of wisdom and in his youth his like lack of wisdom and in his youth his like lack of wisdom and his willingness to just say whatever. his willingness to just say whatever. his willingness to just say whatever. Like it never it never dawned on him Like it never it never dawned on him Like it never it never dawned on him like my brothers might feel some kind of like my brothers might feel some kind of like my brothers might feel some kind of way that I'm going to rule over them. way that I'm going to rule over them. way that I'm going to rule over them. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> And it's like trying >> And it's like trying >> And it's like trying >> Had he not been him then the like God >> Had he not been him then the like God >> Had he not been him then the like God would have had to orchestrate the story would have had to orchestrate the story would have had to orchestrate the story in a different way. in a different way. in a different way. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> That's right. >> And I think that that's that's what I >> And I think that that's that's what I >> And I think that that's that's what I love about his story. love about his story. love about his story. >> That's right. We'll talk about a story >> That's right. We'll talk about a story >> That's right. We'll talk about a story that gets orchestrated. Joseph certainly that gets orchestrated. Joseph certainly that gets orchestrated. Joseph certainly didn't feel like his story was being didn't feel like his story was being didn't feel like his story was being orchestrated when he's betrayed by orchestrated when he's betrayed by orchestrated when he's betrayed by jealous brothers, thrown into a pit, and jealous brothers, thrown into a pit, and jealous brothers, thrown into a pit, and then winds up finding himself a slave in then winds up finding himself a slave in then winds up finding himself a slave in Egypt. And so Egypt. And so Egypt. And so that had to be a setback from his that had to be a setback from his that had to be a setback from his vision, right? vision, right? vision, right? When have you experienced a setback like When have you experienced a setback like When have you experienced a setback like that? And and and what were you that? And and and what were you that? And and and what were you wrestling with God around in the midst wrestling with God around in the midst wrestling with God around in the midst of that setback. of that setback. of that setback. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Around the time me coming home, I guess >> Around the time me coming home, I guess >> Around the time me coming home, I guess being a returning citizen, coming home being a returning citizen, coming home being a returning citizen, coming home from prison, and from prison, and from prison, and I always define or call that like my I always define or call that like my I always define or call that like my season of ambiguity because it's it was season of ambiguity because it's it was season of ambiguity because it's it was just like I just did not understand just like I just did not understand just like I just did not understand life. I didn't understand like God, how life. I didn't understand like God, how life. I didn't understand like God, how do I navigate this do I navigate this do I navigate this this life with you? What are we doing?

this life with you? What are we doing? this life with you? What are we doing? Like I'm not questioning that you're Like I'm not questioning that you're Like I'm not questioning that you're good. I understand you're sovereign. good. I understand you're sovereign. good. I understand you're sovereign. Like I'm not None of that is on the Like I'm not None of that is on the Like I'm not None of that is on the chopping block, but that's not answering chopping block, but that's not answering chopping block, but that's not answering like that's not giving giving like that's not giving giving like that's not giving giving understanding to like what what this understanding to like what what this understanding to like what what this season is right now. Which way is up? season is right now. Which way is up? season is right now. Which way is up? Where are we going with this? And Where are we going with this? And Where are we going with this? And um um um I think like I would try to cling to I think like I would try to cling to I think like I would try to cling to certain scriptures and and and try to certain scriptures and and and try to certain scriptures and and and try to like use that to like anchor my soul. like use that to like anchor my soul. like use that to like anchor my soul. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Um and and just continue to fight the >> Um and and just continue to fight the >> Um and and just continue to fight the good fight, but I can so many like good fight, but I can so many like good fight, but I can so many like nights and just days of just like just nights and just days of just like just nights and just days of just like just confusion being in that space. confusion being in that space. confusion being in that space. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Man, what were your conversations >> Yeah. Man, what were your conversations >> Yeah. Man, what were your conversations with God like or how did they take place with God like or how did they take place with God like or how did they take place in that confusion? in that confusion? in that confusion? >> Wow. Um depends [clears throat] on the >> Wow. Um depends [clears throat] on the >> Wow. Um depends [clears throat] on the day. Depends on the hour. There was day. Depends on the hour. There was day. Depends on the hour. There was sometimes where I would literally be sometimes where I would literally be sometimes where I would literally be like, "Okay, God, what if you [snorts] like, "Okay, God, what if you [snorts] like, "Okay, God, what if you [snorts] asked, have you considered my faithful asked, have you considered my faithful asked, have you considered my faithful servant Demico? Is that what this is?" servant Demico? Is that what this is?" servant Demico? Is that what this is?" >> Is this a Job experience? Job like >> Is this a Job experience? Job like >> Is this a Job experience? Job like >> what this is? >> what this is? >> what this is? You know, um am I doing something wrong? You know, um am I doing something wrong? You know, um am I doing something wrong? Like Like Like is it like you're just waiting for me to is it like you're just waiting for me to is it like you're just waiting for me to finally get this thing right or whatever finally get this thing right or whatever finally get this thing right or whatever the case and you're leaving me in this the case and you're leaving me in this the case and you're leaving me in this space until I get it right? Like what space until I get it right? Like what space until I get it right? Like what like which like which direction should I like which like which direction should I like which like which direction should I go? Like you know what I mean? Like go? Like you know what I mean? Like go? Like you know what I mean? Like there was so many different like there was so many different like there was so many different like conversations of just like being conversations of just like being conversations of just like being confused. I remember telling God like confused. I remember telling God like confused. I remember telling God like God, it can't be simply on my shoulders God, it can't be simply on my shoulders God, it can't be simply on my shoulders to get the thing right. If you were to get the thing right. If you were to get the thing right. If you were sitting right here next to me and you sitting right here next to me and you sitting right here next to me and you said, "Demico, go left or go right," said, "Demico, go left or go right," said, "Demico, go left or go right," then this would be a matter of then this would be a matter of then this would be a matter of obedience, right? But that's not how obedience, right? But that's not how obedience, right? But that's not how this works. So, I don't know. I'm just this works. So, I don't know. I'm just this works. So, I don't know. I'm just living and just moving forward and living and just moving forward and living and just moving forward and trusting that you're in this, but Lord,

trusting that you're in this, but Lord, trusting that you're in this, but Lord, why does it have to look like this right why does it have to look like this right why does it have to look like this right now? now? now? How long will it look like this? So, How long will it look like this? So, How long will it look like this? So, yeah. yeah. yeah. >> Yeah, when you were when you were >> Yeah, when you were when you were >> Yeah, when you were when you were talking it's funny you said how long I talking it's funny you said how long I talking it's funny you said how long I was like man you sound like the Psalms. was like man you sound like the Psalms. was like man you sound like the Psalms. You sound like You sound like You sound like >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> you >> you >> you literally were living the Psalms, right? literally were living the Psalms, right? literally were living the Psalms, right? >> That's what it felt like. >> That's what it felt like. >> That's what it felt like. >> Well, and that kind of hits at the >> Well, and that kind of hits at the >> Well, and that kind of hits at the duality of like you could totally trust duality of like you could totally trust duality of like you could totally trust that God is going to resolve it and that God is going to resolve it and that God is going to resolve it and sitting in the the crap of it right now sitting in the the crap of it right now sitting in the the crap of it right now of like I don't I don't understand. Like of like I don't I don't understand. Like of like I don't I don't understand. Like I don't know how I can have a picture I don't know how I can have a picture I don't know how I can have a picture for someday but also I can't reconcile for someday but also I can't reconcile for someday but also I can't reconcile it to today. And I just think that that it to today. And I just think that that it to today. And I just think that that is such a like that has to be like is such a like that has to be like is such a like that has to be like Joseph like I had these I had two Joseph like I had these I had two Joseph like I had these I had two dreams. I think it was two dreams at the dreams. I think it was two dreams at the dreams. I think it was two dreams at the beginning like that that clearly point beginning like that that clearly point beginning like that that clearly point to this and then yet here I am like okay to this and then yet here I am like okay to this and then yet here I am like okay God then I'm going to go on the long God then I'm going to go on the long God then I'm going to go on the long haul with you and like I mean I think haul with you and like I mean I think haul with you and like I mean I think that's the definition of faith right of that's the definition of faith right of that's the definition of faith right of like being willing to trust like being willing to trust like being willing to trust >> You think he did that? >> You think he did that? >> You think he did that? You think he was just like You think he was just like You think he was just like >> No, no. I definitely don't. I think he >> No, no. I definitely don't. I think he >> No, no. I definitely don't. I think he was probably just like was probably just like was probably just like I'm in a pit and now I'm headed to I'm in a pit and now I'm headed to I'm in a pit and now I'm headed to somewhere else. Like God where are you?

somewhere else. Like God where are you? somewhere else. Like God where are you? But I have to imagine. Like if I if I But I have to imagine. Like if I if I But I have to imagine. Like if I if I think of like situations like I can think of like situations like I can think of like situations like I can think think think um if I think about a personal setback um if I think about a personal setback um if I think about a personal setback like I felt like God clearly called like like I felt like God clearly called like like I felt like God clearly called like asked me to do something and I was like asked me to do something and I was like asked me to do something and I was like okay God I'll go on this journey with okay God I'll go on this journey with okay God I'll go on this journey with you and we like meandered and then you and we like meandered and then you and we like meandered and then and then it just got bleaker and bleaker and then it just got bleaker and bleaker and then it just got bleaker and bleaker and I'm like so to the point I think he and I'm like so to the point I think he and I'm like so to the point I think he remembered. I don't think remembered. I don't think remembered. I don't think [clears throat] he was like well those [clears throat] he was like well those [clears throat] he was like well those dreams were fake but he's like I don't dreams were fake but he's like I don't dreams were fake but he's like I don't see see see I don't see how we're going to get I don't see how we're going to get I don't see how we're going to get there. Like even like to the zigzagging there. Like even like to the zigzagging there. Like even like to the zigzagging of things of like of things of like of things of like God there's not there can't be a God there's not there can't be a God there's not there can't be a straight path from straight path from straight path from pit and slavery pit and slavery pit and slavery to ruling over my brother or like to ruling over my brother or like to ruling over my brother or like helping my brothers and being in that helping my brothers and being in that helping my brothers and being in that space. Yeah. space. Yeah. space. Yeah. So no, I don't think he was just like So no, I don't think he was just like So no, I don't think he was just like well I'm going to just go on that well I'm going to just go on that well I'm going to just go on that journey journey journey but I also don't think he like could but I also don't think he like could but I also don't think he like could forget. Like I just I in situ- similar forget. Like I just I in situ- similar forget. Like I just I in situ- similar situation not similar, I've never been situation not similar, I've never been situation not similar, I've never been thrown in a pit by my brothers. thrown in a pit by my brothers. thrown in a pit by my brothers. Um Um Um but I think in kind of similar but I think in kind of similar but I think in kind of similar situations situations situations I can remember anything even Demetrius I can remember anything even Demetrius I can remember anything even Demetrius and what you were describing of like I and what you were describing of like I and what you were describing of like I know and I can trust that this is what know and I can trust that this is what know and I can trust that this is what God is saying. I just God is saying. I just God is saying. I just Yeah. Reconcile Yeah. Reconcile Yeah. Reconcile Yeah, it just really isn't.

Yeah, it just really isn't. Yeah, it just really isn't. >> And I love seeing I love like >> And I love seeing I love like >> And I love seeing I love like because when I look at the story I'm because when I look at the story I'm because when I look at the story I'm like okay, so what what was his posture? like okay, so what what was his posture? like okay, so what what was his posture? And I see faithfulness. I see I see God And I see faithfulness. I see I see God And I see faithfulness. I see I see God was with him. Right? Like the Bible it was with him. Right? Like the Bible it was with him. Right? Like the Bible it continuously says that God was with him continuously says that God was with him continuously says that God was with him and he would recognize God's favor on and he would recognize God's favor on and he would recognize God's favor on him even in these different him even in these different him even in these different circumstances. So it's like looking for circumstances. So it's like looking for circumstances. So it's like looking for God's favor in these spaces, but then he God's favor in these spaces, but then he God's favor in these spaces, but then he was also just faithful in the now. was also just faithful in the now. was also just faithful in the now. Wherever he was, that's where he was Wherever he was, that's where he was Wherever he was, that's where he was faithful. And for me that's that was my faithful. And for me that's that was my faithful. And for me that's that was my takeaway. Like okay, God I'm going to takeaway. Like okay, God I'm going to takeaway. Like okay, God I'm going to I'm I'm going to embrace and acknowledge I'm I'm going to embrace and acknowledge I'm I'm going to embrace and acknowledge your favor even in the things where it's your favor even in the things where it's your favor even in the things where it's like like like you know, like the lady at the you know, like the lady at the you know, like the lady at the drive-thru on this crappy day. You know drive-thru on this crappy day. You know drive-thru on this crappy day. You know what I'm saying? Like we like be what I'm saying? Like we like be what I'm saying? Like we like be faithful for like recognize your favor faithful for like recognize your favor faithful for like recognize your favor and give you the glory for all of that. and give you the glory for all of that. and give you the glory for all of that. That's what I have control over. I'll do That's what I have control over. I'll do That's what I have control over. I'll do that and be faithful with what's in that and be faithful with what's in that and be faithful with what's in front of you, man. front of you, man. front of you, man. That's super good. Yeah. And Joseph is That's super good. Yeah. And Joseph is That's super good. Yeah. And Joseph is an example of that. He does do that. an example of that. He does do that. an example of that. He does do that. You're right. Every Every time there's You're right. Every Every time there's You're right. Every Every time there's an opportunity to glorify God from that an opportunity to glorify God from that an opportunity to glorify God from that point forward, he does. Right? I mean he point forward, he does. Right? I mean he point forward, he does. Right? I mean he he absolutely he's obedient. He's living he absolutely he's obedient. He's living he absolutely he's obedient. He's living out, you know, he says yes to the right out, you know, he says yes to the right out, you know, he says yes to the right things. He says no to the right thing.

things. He says no to the right thing. things. He says no to the right thing. Even though it's not all playing out for Even though it's not all playing out for Even though it's not all playing out for him, he's very very faithful. And I him, he's very very faithful. And I him, he's very very faithful. And I think that's that's really important for think that's that's really important for think that's that's really important for us to realize like that's what God is us to realize like that's what God is us to realize like that's what God is calling us to do. Everybody's story is calling us to do. Everybody's story is calling us to do. Everybody's story is going to have setbacks. going to have setbacks. going to have setbacks. Everybody's story is going to have these Everybody's story is going to have these Everybody's story is going to have these setbacks. It is the way of the world. setbacks. It is the way of the world. setbacks. It is the way of the world. It's not you know, and this is one of It's not you know, and this is one of It's not you know, and this is one of the things I had to learn. It's like the things I had to learn. It's like the things I had to learn. It's like it's not all God causing it. it's not all God causing it. it's not all God causing it. Some of it is like there's brokenness in Some of it is like there's brokenness in Some of it is like there's brokenness in the world. There's demonic forces in the the world. There's demonic forces in the the world. There's demonic forces in the world. There are things coming against world. There are things coming against world. There are things coming against God's plan in your life. Like we've got God's plan in your life. Like we've got God's plan in your life. Like we've got to take account for all of those things to take account for all of those things to take account for all of those things and not only or always blame God. and not only or always blame God. and not only or always blame God. Um but in the midst of it, God will work Um but in the midst of it, God will work Um but in the midst of it, God will work through it. through it. through it. So, as you think about Joseph, one of So, as you think about Joseph, one of So, as you think about Joseph, one of the things that we get in his story is the things that we get in his story is the things that we get in his story is the perspective of seeing how God was the perspective of seeing how God was the perspective of seeing how God was faithful. faithful. faithful. What have you learned through your What have you learned through your What have you learned through your setbacks about the character of God? setbacks about the character of God? setbacks about the character of God? What have you learned about his What have you learned about his What have you learned about his faithfulness and about how these things faithfulness and about how these things faithfulness and about how these things play out over time? play out over time? play out over time? >> When I think of my setbacks, and the >> When I think of my setbacks, and the >> When I think of my setbacks, and the question is always like, God, where are question is always like, God, where are question is always like, God, where are you? Like God, where are you? And so you? Like God, where are you? And so you? Like God, where are you? And so many times in these stories, like it's a many times in these stories, like it's a many times in these stories, like it's a loose parallel, but I also read Esther loose parallel, but I also read Esther loose parallel, but I also read Esther recently, where God's not even mentioned recently, where God's not even mentioned recently, where God's not even mentioned at all, but it's all like him interwoven at all, but it's all like him interwoven at all, but it's all like him interwoven into coincidences and ironies and just into coincidences and ironies and just into coincidences and ironies and just how things work when you're just like how things work when you're just like how things work when you're just like one of the nods is just like prayer and one of the nods is just like prayer and one of the nods is just like prayer and fasting. It's just the the act of fasting. It's just the the act of fasting. It's just the the act of waiting.

waiting. waiting. And I think And I think And I think the faithfulness of just I mean, Mika, the faithfulness of just I mean, Mika, the faithfulness of just I mean, Mika, you said it just like you said it just like you said it just like he wants to be called out to, right? I I he wants to be called out to, right? I I he wants to be called out to, right? I I could see Joseph just like being like could see Joseph just like being like could see Joseph just like being like where are you, God? Like my brothers? Of where are you, God? Like my brothers? Of where are you, God? Like my brothers? Of all the people in the world, like my all the people in the world, like my all the people in the world, like my brothers? Is this what you set me up for brothers? Is this what you set me up for brothers? Is this what you set me up for by sharing my dream and and just by sharing my dream and and just by sharing my dream and and just pleasing my pleasing my pleasing my worldly father? And so, in my life, I worldly father? And so, in my life, I worldly father? And so, in my life, I think that's where I go is often that think that's where I go is often that think that's where I go is often that that question of God, where are you? that question of God, where are you? that question of God, where are you? And if I wait long enough, I always can And if I wait long enough, I always can And if I wait long enough, I always can look back and say look back and say look back and say there you were like the whole time. I I there you were like the whole time. I I there you were like the whole time. I I see it a lot in job stuff where see it a lot in job stuff where see it a lot in job stuff where I I get my purpose in my I I get my purpose in my I I get my purpose in my worth a lot from from my work that I do. worth a lot from from my work that I do. worth a lot from from my work that I do. I mean, you spend so much time in it. I mean, you spend so much time in it. I mean, you spend so much time in it. And like with your kids, you see them And like with your kids, you see them And like with your kids, you see them growing up and being like growing up and being like growing up and being like they're growing, they're healthy, like they're growing, they're healthy, like they're growing, they're healthy, like I'm succeeding. Whereas sometime in your I'm succeeding. Whereas sometime in your I'm succeeding. Whereas sometime in your job you're like, is this growing? Is job you're like, is this growing? Is job you're like, is this growing? Is this healthy? Am I succeeding? And just this healthy? Am I succeeding? And just this healthy? Am I succeeding? And just sitting with God and being like, God, sitting with God and being like, God, sitting with God and being like, God, where are you? Like I know you're where are you? Like I know you're where are you? Like I know you're working in this and untangling working in this and untangling working in this and untangling my worldly worth with God's worth for my worldly worth with God's worth for my worldly worth with God's worth for me, which is just um me, which is just um me, which is just um Like I got you. I have your purpose. I Like I got you. I have your purpose. I Like I got you. I have your purpose. I have your worth.

have your worth. have your worth. It's just a new, you know. It's just a new, you know. It's just a new, you know. >> That's good. Some things I Some things I >> That's good. Some things I Some things I >> That's good. Some things I Some things I learned from Joseph's story and just learned from Joseph's story and just learned from Joseph's story and just from my own life with God is like God from my own life with God is like God from my own life with God is like God always plays the long game. always plays the long game. always plays the long game. So if you're into the short term, like So if you're into the short term, like So if you're into the short term, like God is rarely into the short term. He God is rarely into the short term. He God is rarely into the short term. He plays the long game. plays the long game. plays the long game. The other thing is God The other thing is God The other thing is God He He uses difficulty and suffering to He He uses difficulty and suffering to He He uses difficulty and suffering to shape you shape you shape you because nothing else does what that does because nothing else does what that does because nothing else does what that does for you. So God is Not only is God not for you. So God is Not only is God not for you. So God is Not only is God not afraid to use that, He will use it. He afraid to use that, He will use it. He afraid to use that, He will use it. He is a He's an expert surgeon of the heart is a He's an expert surgeon of the heart is a He's an expert surgeon of the heart when it comes to using difficulty and when it comes to using difficulty and when it comes to using difficulty and setbacks to bring you to the place. And setbacks to bring you to the place. And setbacks to bring you to the place. And I think the other thing is like never I think the other thing is like never I think the other thing is like never underestimate the redemptive power of underestimate the redemptive power of underestimate the redemptive power of God. Never underestimate that no matter God. Never underestimate that no matter God. Never underestimate that no matter how bad it looks, and how dark it is, He how bad it looks, and how dark it is, He how bad it looks, and how dark it is, He can bring it around, right? He can bring can bring it around, right? He can bring can bring it around, right? He can bring it around. He does that in Joseph's it around. He does that in Joseph's it around. He does that in Joseph's story. He obviously does that in our story. He obviously does that in our story. He obviously does that in our story. So Yeah, I hope that encourages story. So Yeah, I hope that encourages story. So Yeah, I hope that encourages you for wherever you are and whatever you for wherever you are and whatever you for wherever you are and whatever you're going through today.