Daily devotion – No big sleeves..for a dishwasher
Act 7:9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him.”
In Stephens only documented sermon before his death he details the amazing events of Joseph’s life and family.
Stephen tells of Joseph’s brothers being envious of Joseph, because of his dreams and the coat that Jacob had made for him. The Bible describes this coat as being “of many colours”, a better rendering is that it was a coat of “many pieces” or, literally, a coat of “big sleeves.”
In Joseph’s Day, most coats were actually vests because most men were labourers and sleeves would only hinder their movement. Bosses, foremen, supervisors were given garments with sleeves.
Joseph’s brothers were upset with Joseph, “Why should he be the boss, it’s not fair!”
There are times when people are prone to say, “I should have the big sleeves!”
“How come I am not noticed or acknowledged, elevated or rewarded?”
We often think we know what we want. But the fact is, the coat of big sleeves caused Joseph big headaches. Therefore, it is the wise person who says, “Lord, I think I want that. I think I deserve that. I think I should have that position. But Lord, I understand that with such a position also comes certain problems, pressures, headaches of which I am completely unaware!”
There was a man whose godliness came to be known throughout the land – and now throughout history! This man worked tirelessly and faithfully in a monastery. Never had position, prominence but remained a dishwasher. Day after day, month after month, Lawrence washed pots and pans in the kitchen of the monastery – and as he did, he would pray and talk to the Lord. So intense was his fellowship in that place of simple service that soon word got out into the community, “There is a revival going on at the monastery.”
“Where? In the chapel?”
“No, in the kitchen.”
“Which abbot is leading this revival?”
“There is no abbot – just a dishwasher!”
Brother Lawrence eventually wrote a little book about his experience called “Practicing The Presence of God”, which went on to become one of the best-sellers of all time. He was a lowly dishwasher, but while the other monks were busy with administrations and sermon preparation, Brother Lawrence was able to simply enjoy God.
The Psalmist wrote, Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold, From those who walk uprightly.
Therefor if you do not get the promotion, the notice, the relationship, remember it might not be good for you.
You may think to have those “big sleeves” would be useful for ministry.
But God may be protecting you, for you would regret them once you actually had them.
Let us all learn to be content with where God has us serving Him now – just like a kitchen that became holy ground because Lawrence did not have ‘big sleeves’!