What do you do when you find yourself in places that do not exactly fit the vision God showed you? What do you do when your life takes an unexpected turn that appears contrary to your destiny? What do you do when your dreams and goals seem so far to reach and feel like never-ending cycles of unfulfillment and stagnation?
The book of Genesis tells the story of Joseph. A man of great purpose and vision. God had given him foresight of what his future would look like at a very young age. Undoubtedly, Joseph always had this perfect picture before him but had no idea of the process it would take to get there. Sometimes, we can become so caught up in the promise that we forget there is still a process we must go through. Joseph knew the palace was his destiny, yet he found himself in unusual places. He found himself in a pit after being sold by his brothers. He found himself in prison after being framed by Potiphar’s wife. Unusual places he never signed up for. Can we imagine the thoughts going through Joseph’s mind during these ordeals? He was doing everything right, yet his righteous attempts could not save him from these treacherous places.
What happens when it feels like doing right only results in distress? Joseph had to fight a hard battle between his current place and his future promise. Joseph wrestled with doubt, discouragement, and the enemy’s lies. All his good seemed to be in vain. Still, Joseph held on to what God had already spoken. This is all we can do when we find ourselves in unusual places. God has never forgotten His word concerning us, and He never lies. Every season should draw us closer to fulfilling our God-given destinies. As we walk through the process, God will never leave us; he had never left Joseph. Though Joseph could have felt alone, that was not his reality. Throughout his story, the Bible reiterates how God was with Joseph. As a result, he could endure the process, find purpose through those unusual places, and walk confidently into God’s promise for his life.
David was anointed King early but still found himself in unusual places. He found himself in the pasture tending sheep. He found himself in the unusual place of facing a great giant. He found himself in the unusual place of serving the one who sought his demise. How can God allow David to go through such things? Does God not know how much David can handle? God knew exactly what He was doing in David’s life during those moments. David’s pain produced purpose and gave him the fortitude to face future battles. We will never have the strength to face tomorrow if we cannot face the challenges of today. Will we walk through those unusual places, or will we give up? David’s pain was not in vain but pushed him to walk into his divine purpose. David’s unusual places were preparing him for what was to come. It was in those unusual places that God pruned, groomed, and taught David. In those places, David penned some of the greatest words we enjoy reading and singing today in the book of Psalms. David did not allow those unusual places to derail him from the place he knew God called him to. Our present location is not our final destination. The Lord is our Shepherd, leading and guiding us.
Job found himself in unusual places. He faced unimaginable trials and struggles. He lost his home, possessions, children, health, and many other things. The Bible refers to Job as an upright man, so how could this upright man end up in such unusual places? Is this what one reaps for living upright? Is it even worth it to live upright? What we did not realize was that God had a plan all along. He was working behind the scenes when the devil thought he would break Job. Job did not deserve to lose the things He did, and we may not see how we deserve our losses and to be in the mess we are in now. Through it all, Job found His strength in the presence of God. When He could not understand, when He could not comprehend, when He could not stand anymore, He went on his face before the Only One who could sustain him. It is so critical that we always know where to turn when our hearts become overwhelmed. There was a great reward as Job pressed through the pain and the struggle. What is victory without a battle? What is victory without a fight? A greater glory awaits us on the other side of our sufferings.
You may find yourself in unusual places right now. You may not understand the things you are going through. You may feel overwhelmed with the struggles and cares of life. I want to encourage you today. You are not alone in the fight. Your pain is producing purpose in those unusual places. God is doing far greater work in you than you can see currently. It may look dark and gloomy, but a light is at the end of the tunnel. As you walk through those unusual places, allow yourself to learn, grow, and become equipped to step into all God has called you to. What you are going through is not to break you but to build you. You cannot give up. You have been called to the Kingdom for such a time as this. The promise will be fulfilled in due time, but you must keep pushing!
Raphael R. Roker 