This morning I was reading Genesis 39:1-18. In case you are unfamiliar with that passage, Joseph has already been sold into slavery by his brothers. Just when we think life could not get any worse for Joseph, his bosses wife accuses him of sexual harassment and has him thrown into jail, though he is innocent. Yet, throughout Genesis 39 we read over and over again, “The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did.” I find that intriguing. Would you define success as being kidnapped and sold into slavery? Would you define success as being thrown in jail for a crime you didn’t commit? Those seem like horrible circumstances to me. Yet, in God’s eyes, they are viewed as a win for Joseph. As you move into this week think about how you define success? Our culture defines success as achieving more power, more money or more status. God seems to feel very differently.

The good news is that even when everything seems to fall apart. God’s presence is there. Maybe in the end success is knowing and experiencing God’s presence.

I would love your thoughts!