SHINE WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

Gen. 39:19-21 After hearing his wife's story, Potiphar was furious! He took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the kings' prisoners were held.. But the Lord was with Joseph there, too, and he granted Joseph favor with the chief jailer.

Potiphar reacted like most men would when confronted with the fact that someone had tried to take advantage of his wife. He listened to his wife's story and believed her. He did not hesitate to check out the facts; instead he immediately went into a rage and had Joseph put into prison. He didn't stop to think about how outstanding Joseph had proven to be or how trustworthy he had proven himself to be. He didn't even think about whether or not he was innocent or guilty. He was guilty simply because his wife said he was.

Maybe you have been on the bad end of things through no fault of your own. Perhaps you have been accused of things you have not done and been found guilty of them. Perhaps no one even bothered to listen to your side of the story. It is an awful situation to be in. It hurts deeply that you had been wrongly accused and not give a chance to explain your side of the story.

How did Joseph handle the situation? He did not linger in self-pity. He did not give up. He continued doing what he had been doing all along; he served the Lord where he was planted. He did not choose to be thrust into a prison. If he had a choice in the matter, I am quite sure he would not have gone there. In fact, it wasn't all that long ago that he had been thrown into a pit by his brothers and sold to a group of travelers passing through on their way to Egypt. He did not let his circumstances stop him from doing what was right before God. He discovered God was with him where he was at. He made the most of the situation and served the Lord where he was at. And soon, he shined brightly in his new surroundings.

No matter what your circumstances may be, do what is right before God. Let your light shine where you are and you, too, will find favor with the Lord.