For such a time as this

Joseph was born with a gift that often got him into trouble: the ability to interpret dreams. He announced to his brothers that he would soon rule over them. That was the truth; Joseph had dreamt it. But he gloated over his God-given gift, and did not realise that he was only fuelling their jealousy further.

Perhaps it wasn't his gift that set him up. Rather, it was how he used it. In the end, he was sold to the Egyptians as a slave. Fuelled by resentment, his brothers cast him out and banished him into the unknown.

But Joseph had another talent. The ability to manage. He was placed in charge of Portiphar's house, but Portiphar's wife lusted after him. Besides being handsome, Joseph excelled in what he did. Everyone liked him, and he was entrusted with the entire household. He made sure that he kept their trust, and resisted the wife's advances.

Yet he was framed yet again, this time by Portiphar's wife. He had learnt his lesson, used his gift wisely, and yet again he fell into the same predicament. It wasn't his fault this time. Angered, Portiphar threw him into the dungeon.

Eventually, he got to know the Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, who were thrown in prison for offending him. They had troubling dreams, which haunted them ceaselessly. Joseph, using his gift once again, interpreted the dreams for them. It turned out that he was correct. The baker was executed, and the cupbearer freed to serve Pharaoh once more.

Joseph's fame was spreading, and soon Pharaoh got wind of him. He has had disturbing dreams for many nights, but none of the magicians could make sense of them. Joseph was his only hope.

As Joseph languished in the dark prison, he heard the heavy footsteps of the guards. It was late at night. In the dim, flickering light several shadows could be seen forming on the walls. Are they out to get him? Would he be executed? His eyes trailed the two figures as they stood in front of him, their faces hidden in the darkness.

Clank. It was a sound all too familiar to him, one that he has heard many times before. The guard slid open the prison door. What he heard next was something he had been waiting many years for.

"You're wanted by the Pharaoh. He needs you."

He was ushered into a room. The Pharaoh was seated by his bed, a look of deep distress in his eyes. He scanned Joseph from head to toe, studying the man that he had heard so much about.

"So, you're the interpreter of dreams," he said, voice weary with burden. He didn't sound like the Pharoah Joseph imagined him to be. Here was a man deeply troubled, scared even, totally unlike the all-powerful demi-god in the public square.

He considered carefully what he was about to say next. He knew the escalation of events that would happen. He knew that his gifts would come under scrutiny again. How would pharaoh react to his interpretation? His gift has already gotten him into trouble. How should he respond to the Pharaoh? With a measure of modesty? Or unbridled confidence?

In the end the answer was simple. God had given him a gift, and he had to use it.

"It is not I who can interpret dreams, but God. He will put your mind at ease," he said.

That was his breakthrough. Unfettered by his past setbacks, he knew God had a mission for him. Joseph could interpret his gift as either a curse or a blessing, but he chose to see it as God does. What are the gifts that you have? Where does your passion lie? What kind of person are you?

Whoever you are, God has a purpose for you. Never despise yourself, because there will come a point of time where a person of your character, personality and talent would be needed for a particular situation.

Just be yourself, and discover your gifts. You'll never go wrong with that.