On the Plateau part 3 - The End

Double post today - first off, we will finish the series on plateaus then later the reason behind the name of this blog will be revealed.

On the Plateau part 3
God-made Plateaus

So you've read all the posts on this so far and you don't quite fit what I've written. Your relationship with God seems good, you are diving deeply into the Word and your enthusiasm is still sky-high. However, the results still don't seem to line up. What's wrong?

This must have been the question that went through Joseph's mind (see Genesis chapters 37 and 39-45). Born in his father's old age, he knew from his teens that God had something special for him. In his youth he dreamed of having a position of honour and esteem. He enjoyed his father's favour and his mother's love.

He grew up as a hard worker and an honest man. He would report back to his parents when his brothers were doing wrong. His brothers threw him into a pit for his trouble. As a slave in Egypt, he became known for his hard work and intelligence, he ended up in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Even when in jail, he was known as someone who was trustworthy. But he still languished there for years. It seemed like in every stage of his life, he would gain favour and rise near to the top, only to either be dumped unceremoniously somewhere else or to sit on a level that was far lower than the place God had called him to live on.

So, what was the problem? The Bible doesn't tell us the reason for every plateau, perhaps we don't actually need to know. What it does tell us is that even in these times, God's hand was still on Joseph's life. When it seemed like progress had slowed and Joseph was going nowhere, God was still in control.

At the end of it all, Joseph was able to understand that although he had taken an unusual route to the top, God had led him there. Listen to what he says to his brothers when they have come to buy grain in Egypt. Remember, these are the same brothers who threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery.

Genesis 45:5 (New Living Translation)
5 But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.

Joseph understood this principle: no matter the plateau, God has a plan. You see, without this knowledge we can easily mistake plateaus for brick walls. We must have a personal relationship with God and the assurance that He is behind the scenes working all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8: 28).

So what do we do in God-made plateaus? Seek Him. Give our lives back to Him once again and delve even deeper into the Word. As I said earlier, no plateau is forever. Until it is time to climb again, we can trust God to lead us and guide us and rest on the knowledge that He will never leave or forsake us.