The Dream Builder builds the dreamer and the dream. Other people cannot validate your purpose. But often we look to people we can see to validate us and find ourselves on an endless, meaningless quest.
But you are God’s chosen treasure, designed for a unique purpose. Daily embrace this truth in the core of your heart and find freedom to become the woman God created you to be.
Joseph’s Bold Move
Joseph’s brothers, full of envy, could not validate Joseph—or his dream. When Joseph made a bold move describing his dream to his brothers, I believe he had a strong faith in God and was excited about his dream. But I also believe he hoped his bold announcement would prove to his brothers that he was valuable and significant.
Look, brothers! Your hateful words about me were wrong. God thinks I am special. One day you will bow down to me. I am important—you were wrong.
In contrast to Joseph’s brothers, his father, Jacob, loved him deeply. Because Joseph was the favorite, I found his father’s reaction to the dream fascinating. He did not validate Joseph—he rebuked him! Was there a part of Jacob that was afraid to let go of his beloved son? Would Joseph need him anymore? Was he afraid his son would fail? Was he disappointed in Joseph’s poor judgment in parading God’s plan before his brothers, who hated him?
Whatever the reason, when Joseph proclaimed God’s purpose for his life, neither his brothers, who detested him, nor his father, who adored him, validated his dream.
What people in your life are like Joseph’s brothers? So insecure in themselves that they cannot speak kind words to you.
If you look to them for value, you will always leave their presence feeling “less than.”
Look to the Dream Builder
Trying to change those who envy you is a losing battle. You cannot stop them from being jealous of you. That is their choice. But you can choose what voice you will listen to and how you will live.
What about the “Jacobs”—those people in our lives who love and give to us in amazing ways, as Jacob loved his son?
Others may love us greatly, but we cannot expect them to validate our worth. That is an unrealistic expectation that puts a severe strain on any relationship.
Don’t look to them. Don’t even look to your achievements. Look to the Dream Builder.
God’s gifts and call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). Those treasures inside you are yours for life. Your gifts are yours, but what you do with them is your gift back to God. Draw your validation from the Dream Builder, and from that place of abundance share your gifts with others and make a difference.
The devotion you read today is taken from Dream Builder: a six-week study on Joseph and the Patriarchs from the Nourish Bible Study Series. Consider Dream Builder for your next Bible Study and find the courage to dream again.
Nourish Scripture: Genesis 37
Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.
