ARTICLES
Printer Friendly Version
Raquel Soto © April 10, 2005
Dealing
with Contempt
And they were
offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A
prophet is not without honour, save in his own
country, and in his own house. KJV Matthew 13
verse 57
Have you ever heard the saying,
"Familiarity breeds contempt"? That is
what Jesus is stating in this text. As God was
showing me what He wanted me to share with you,
He brought to my remembrance my friend Eileen.
Eileen, a friend of a friend whom
I love myself, has an awesome story. A well
educated woman living in a nice home, she decided
to leave her abusive husband one night and take
her sons with her. Basically on her own, she
ventured out into the world not knowing exactly
where life was taking her, she just new it had to
be better. One thing led to another, and an
opportunity opened up for her to do direct sales
through now, the best selling skin care in the
United States, Mary Kay. She didn't think she was
the type and, as she states herself, was a real
snob about the whole thing. However, she received
an opportunity so one day, she dove right in. In
a few short months, she became an Independent
Sales Director. I asked her what made her do it,
it not really initially being part of her
personality. Of all her motivations to stay the
course, it was the dream she had for her children
that kept her going. The dream for her boys to
grow up healthy, loving human beings helped keep
her on track.
Was it easy for her? Absolutely
not! As with anyone starting their dream, she
encountered what we all encountered: well meaning
friends and family who showed more contempt at
the idea than support. In their attempt to
protect her from herself, they tried to talk her
out of it or just showed indifference to it all.
So what is the secret to staying
the course? What is the secret in dealing with
contempt from those around you? Let's examine the
life a perfect example of working in the
marketplace – Joseph.
1. Sometimes even the
people you love might be offended or envious
"Then there passed by
Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted
up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the
Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and
they brought Joseph into Egypt." Genesis 37
verse 28 KJV
2. Sometimes you will
be accused of something you didn't do
"And Joseph's master took
him, and put him into the prison, a place where
the king's prisoners [were] bound: and he was
there in the prison." Genesis 39 verse 20
KJV
3. Sometimes people
will forget the promises they made to you
"And he restored the chief
butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the
cup into Pharaoh's hand: But he hanged the chief
baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. Yet did
not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat
him." Genesis 40 verse 21 – 23 KJV
Joseph is a perfect example of
the opportunities that can open up in the
marketplace for you when you commit your way to
the Lord. Although his own siblings were envious
and offended at his calling, Joseph didn't allow
even slavery to deter him from what he was called
to do. Wherever he ended up, he did his best, and
advancement came. And even when he was falsely
accused and thrown into jail, instead of
complaining and murmuring, he kept on doing his
best, in spite of the circumstances. While all
around him the world mocked him by trying to
"bring him down" so to speak, Joseph
continued in the way of excellence. While the
world was organizing circumstances to bring
destruction, God's plan was working in the
circumstances to bring Joseph into the
fulfillment of his destiny:
God's answer to #1
While in slavery, God's favor and mercy will
caused promotion
"And the LORD was with
Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was
in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his
master saw that the LORD [was] with him, and that
the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his
hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he
served him: and he made him overseer over his
house, and all [that] he had he put into his
hand. And it came to pass from the time [that] he
had made him overseer in his house, and over all
that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's
house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the
LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and
in the field." Genesis 39 verse 5 KJV
God's answer to #2
While in prison, God's favor and mercy promoted
Joseph
"But the LORD was with
Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour
in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the
keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand
all the prisoners that [were] in the prison; and
whatsoever they did there, he was the doer [of
it]. The keeper of the prison looked not to any
thing [that was] under his hand; because the LORD
was with him, and [that] which he did, the LORD
made [it] to prosper." Genesis 39 verse 21
– 23 KJV
God's answer to #3
When Joseph was forgotten by the world, God's
favor and mercy promoted Joseph to the place of
destiny
"And Pharaoh said unto
Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all
this, [there is] none so discreet and wise as
thou [art]: Thou shalt be over my house, and
according unto thy word shall all my people be
ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than
thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have
set thee over all the land of Egypt."
Genesis 41 verse 39-41 KJV
I want to encourage you to
continue to do your best. Wherever you have been
planted, whatever your calling is – even if
you aren't sure right now – commit to be
excellent. Commit to do your best, even if you
"feel" like it doesn't matter. It does
matter! You are being watched. By the people you
work with. By the people in your circle of
influence. And most importantly, by the One Who
holds your promotion in His Hands. You might be a
Joseph. You might have to go through some things
because the calling on your life is so great.
Rejoice! You are in good company! You might feel
like you're in prison because of your
circumstances. Look up! Look up at the One Who
created you! Look up to the One Who has the best
plan for your life. Look up and rejoice! You will
not stay in your prison much longer. You have not
been forgotten by the King. The King is working
it out for you, but you need to stay on course.
You need to rehearse what you know to be true.
You need to keep your focus no matter what anyone
says or what it looks like.
I like T.D. Jakes response to
destiny myself. I heard him tell this story once,
and it just blessed me. The story goes something
like this: One day he was going to be preaching
at a certain church where someone from the
congregation didn't really care for him. Although
this person didn't really know him for himself,
he just didn't agree with T.D. Jakes ministry.
After hearing Mr. Jakes preach, this person was
at a lunch after the service had ended. He told
Mr. Jakes how he felt, and then said something to
the effect of now he thinks Mr. Jakes is okay.
Mr. Jakes response was something like: "Now
that you like me, now that you approve of me, how
does this change my destiny? How does this change
my course? Now that you think I'm okay, does it
matter?" That's exactly how you need to be
with what you are called to do. Not everyone will
understand. Not everyone will be excited. And
some will even be envious that God is doing it
through you instead of them. And about my friend,
Eileen: Her boys are grown up and she still has
her own business, except now she's an Executive
Senior Sales Director and has been one of the
best in the company for years. Her dream of
seeing her boys grow up to be loving, healthy
human beings has come to pass. And like Joseph,
was promoted to a place where she was able to
take care of her family's needs and then some.
She stayed the course in spite of it all. She
continues to be an inspiration to everyone who
meets her. God is not a respecter or persons.
What He did for Joseph and what He did for
Eileen, He will surely do for you. Commit your
path to him today and be ready for the
opportunity for promotion when it comes. It might
not be in the place you imagined, but destiny
rarely is.
|
