Genesis 50: 19-20 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”   Joseph was one of the most recognized leaders in the Old Testament and the history of God’s people.  We are all familiar with his story of being sold into slavery and how God raised him to be the second leader in command of Egypt.  He endured so many negatives and false accusations that most leaders would have given up.  He was different because he placed his life and leadership in God’s hands and was obedient to turn all the negatives into positives for his family and his work as a leader in Egypt.  He lived by, “Don’t find fault, but find a solution.”  He perceived negatives and challenges as positive opportunities provided by God.

The great western movie director, John Ford, was once shooting a scene with a cavalry riding through the middle of his favorite location, Monument Valley.  The cinematographer, Winston Hock, saw storm clouds building and announced they had to stop filming because the shot would be too dark.  Ford saw the stunning lightning strikes in the distance and told Hock to keep on shooting.  Hock did, but under protest.  The resulting footage was so amazing that the reluctant cinematographer won an Academy Award for his work on the film, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.  What seemed like a negative or problem at the time turned into a positive because he did not walk away from it.  A negative was turned into a rewarding positive through a leadership decision.

This is exactly what Joseph did for his family and people and it saved them.  This is what Jesus has done for each of us who have accepted Him as Savior.  He turned our negative life of sin and death into positive eternal life.  Question:  Are you a Joseph?  It all comes down to being in the place of God with obedient trust and faith in Jesus Christ.