One of the traits that I learned as a teenager is that if you want to be recognized at school or work, you have to work harder than everyone else. While some individuals are extremely gifted in multiple areas, just showing up and living by the seat of my pants wasn’t an option for me. Subsequently, I tried to be the first one to arrive and the last one to leave.
But the Lord was with Joseph, and he [though a slave] was a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all that he did to flourish and succeed in his hand. 4 So Joseph pleased [Potiphar] and found favor in his sight, and he served him. And [his master] made him supervisor over his house and he put all that he had in his charge. 5 From the time that he made him supervisor in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the Lord’s blessing was on all that he had in the house and in the field. 6 And [Potiphar] left all that he had in Joseph’s charge and paid no attention to anything he had except the food he ate. Now Joseph was an attractive person and fine-looking, Genesis 39:2-6.
As the citizens of Egypt were introduced to Joseph through a group of merchants, there was something different about him. Moses explains this special quality by pointing out that the Lord was with Joseph in everything that he did. From the Midianite merchants to Potiphar and the Warden, Joseph was confident, professional, and successful. Joseph’s daily actions helped him earn the trust of his superiors.
And Joseph’s master took him and put him in the prison, a place where the state prisoners were confined; so he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy and loving-kindness and gave him favor in the sight of the warden of the prison. 22 And the warden of the prison committed to Joseph’s care all the prisoners who were in the prison; and whatsoever was done there, he was in charge of it. 23 The prison warden paid no attention to anything that was in [Joseph’s] charge, for the Lord was with him and made whatever he did to prosper, Genesis 39:20-23.
The term superiors isn’t widely used as it once was during my childhood. Nonetheless, if you follow the golden rule, Matthew 7:12, treating others as you want to be treated, other people will notice you just as Joseph’s life caught the attention of his superiors. If you want to get ahead in life, emulating the words of Colossians 3:14-17 will earn the trust of your superiors over time.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 