So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph's care; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome … - Genesis 39:6

Today's Scripture Reading (September 6, 2021): Genesis 39

Twentieth Century Bengali Philosopher, Rabindranath Tagore, writes in "Stray Birds" that "Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky." When we are younger, trouble and trials are nothing more than interruptions to our well-laid plans. But the older we get, the more we realize that the trials of life are not just interruptions; they add the color that our lives crave. And we can be thankful for the struggles because they are part of what makes us who we are today.

The biblical story makes special mention of Joseph's looks. It is a mention that only two other men received, David and Absalom. But Joseph's looks were one thing. Regardless of how good Joseph looked, there is no indication that Joseph was a competent leader when he was sold into slavery by his brothers. Joseph was seventeen when his world was shattered, and over the next decade, Joseph had to learn to survive and make the most of the inner talents God had given to him.

And Joseph learned over the next decade to do what had to be done to be successful in life. He became so good at handling the daily things of life and business that Potiphar found that he could leave those things in the hands of Joseph. There was nothing that Potiphar had handed over to Joseph about which the Great Egyptian official had to worry. If Joseph were in charge, then the job would be done right. If it wasn't for the trials that Joseph had endured, it is doubtful that he would have matured into such a capable leader.

Clouds had come and intruded on Joseph's world, but they had brought color and the talents that Joseph needed to excel at life. And the troubles were still on their way, but they would shape Joseph into the man that God needed him to be.

Joseph had a choice. As the trials entered his life, Joseph could have descended into bitterness, telling everyone who would listen about how good he was and his importance in his family. Joseph could have complained about the unfairness of life that had stolen all of that away from him. Or he could use the trials to make himself a better and more competent person. He chose the latter and allowed the clouds to add color to his life. And while, hopefully, we will not be sold into slavery by our siblings, we all face trials and are forced to make a similar decision between bitterness and color as we move through the problems and into our futures.   

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Genesis 40