As we start our fourth year, we thank God for His Grace, and all our readers for your support.
Joseph could have become a spoiled success, an adolescent who dreams of power, receives power, and remains adolescent.
One of my favorite stories of all time is that of a young man who dreams big. And his dreams come true. But about 13 years of suffering and humiliation happen between vision and fulfilment.
I find the story of Joseph, told in the book of Genesis, epic and inspiring. And I say that not despite his pain but because of it. What if Joseph had dreamed of approval and honor and, after a year or two of baby-step promotions, had gotten them?
Joseph could have become a spoiled success, an adolescent who dreams of power, receives power, and remains adolescent. (We have many of those around, don’t we?)
But God takes Joseph’s dreams seriously, and so enrolls him in his School of Greatness. Joseph is betrayed by his brothers. He is sold as a slave. He is taken to a foreign country. He is wrongly put in prison. He is forsaken in prison. The day before he is exalted to the second most powerful position in the world, Joseph is a destitute. He has nothing. He is no one.
But he was at the right place. Rotting in an Egyptian prison, he couldn’t have been better positioned. He was about to graduate from the school which churns out true greatness: women and men who have been humbled. Who give of themselves. Who make an ecosystem of people flourish around them.
My first instinct when I consider Joseph’s life is to dream small. If big dreams like Joseph’s require so much time and so much seasoning to come true and not spoil us, let me aspire to an unchallenging, manageable, mediocre life. Let me dream of security, comfort, and entertainment.
That is a common conclusion but I believe it is not the best conclusion. Joseph’s story encourages us, instead, to dream big. And accept that great dreams require great people. And that to become great people some growing is required. And that growing takes time leavened with flavors like solitude, failure, anonymity, insignificance, misunderstanding, and small victories.
We get what we sow. So let’s sow for the long haul. Let’s dream of actions only extraordinary human beings could perform.
And let’s pay the price to get there.
What is the role of Christians serving in politics? An interview with Auke Minnema, the new General Director of the European Christian Political Movement (ECPM).
RZIM International Director Michael Ramsden responds to questions about the secularisation of Europe, the role of Christians in public leadership and the new ‘culture of victimism’.
The economist summarises the manifesto “Confederal Europe: Strong Nations, Strong Union” and explains why personal relationships should be at the centre of our economy, education and democracy.
The World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General participated in the Italian Evangelical Alliance assembly (Rome, 8-9 April). In this interview with Evangelical Focus, Bp Tendero talks about the need to listen to local churches and to face challenges like the refugee crisis and climate change.
Pritchard explains the vision of ELF, comments on the 2015 event in Poland and reflects on what it means to have an "evangelical identity".
“We want to see the youth not just being equipped, but also being multipliers”, Evi Rodemann director of Mission-Net. The European Congress took place in Germany from December 28 to January 2.
“Gospel, identity and coexistence” were the themes of the General Assembly of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. Two days in Palma de Mallorca to reflect about the role of evangelical churches in society.
Educator and journalist Jordi Torrents shares images of the Sekeleka social centre in Mozambique. About 50 children live there, many with some kind of disability. All photos were taken with permission.
For the first time, the President of Portugal attended a worship service in an evangelical church. It was in Sintra, on Christmas Eve.
Young Christians gathered at Madrid’s central square Sol to denounce human trafficking. A flashmob highlighted the work of three evangelical NGOs which support women who escape sexual slavery in Spain.
Poland, Lithuania, Namibia and Brazil are some of the countries that have issued special stamps on the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s 95 theses.
“The reasons why somebody might have sex with a prostitute are very different from the reasons why somebody might want to have an affair with a member of their congregation”. An analysis by John Stevens, National Director of FIEC (UK).
A video about the way traffickers target teenage girls online, produced by anti-slavery gorup Abolishion.
A 360º lyric video about how all followers of Jesus Christ are called to serve God. Duo in Spanish (Alex Sampedro) and Portuguese (Marcos Martins).
A short animation film by Swiss cartoonist Alain Auderset tells the message of the Bible in four minutes.
An 8-minute interview with Philip Yancey on the role of Christians in a secularised society. Recorded in Madrid, September 2016.
New atheism, the definition of "faith", Christianity in Europe, the role of the Bible in mission, and the need to listen more. An exclusive interview recorded at "Forum Apologética" (Tarragona, Spain) in May 2016.
Opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors and do not necessarily represent the views of Evangelical Focus.
If you want to comment, or