The Relationship Between Life Experiences and Ministry

As we explore how God has uniquely designed each person for ministry we must take a moment to examine our own unique life experiences and see how God can use them to divinely direct us toward present and future ministry opportunities.  For instance, in the case of Joseph in the Old Testament his experiences served to fulfill God’s plan for his life and ministry

JOSEPH’S EXPERIENCES

Difficult Experiences:

• Lived as a slave in a foreign land
• Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife
• Thrown into prison

Relationship Experiences:

• Sold into slavery by his own brothers
• Forgotten by his friends while in jail
• Reunited with his family

Achievement Experiences:

• Placed in charge of Potiphar’s entire household
• Second in command for all of Egypt (Equivalent to Vice President, U.S.A)

Ministry Experiences:

• Was given a dream as a boy regarding future events
• Interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh while still in prison
• Was used by God to spare the people from the years of famine

The story of Joseph’s life reminds us that “in all things [experiences] God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose [plan]”  (Romans 8:28).  In fact, it was Joseph himself who shared with his brothers that what they had intended for evil turned out to be experiences in his life that God used for the good (Genesis 50:20).