Touched By Chemicals: Refined By A Master Developer
The Unexpected Descent
My journey through the scriptures recently brought me to the life of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob. In Genesis 37, we see a close-up of a young man whose faithfulness to his father and his God was undeniable. When God began speaking to him through dreams, Joseph had no idea that the assignment on his life was far greater than his teenage mind could grasp. Because of the magnitude of his calling, Joseph entered a season of intense refining that began at just seventeen years old. Driven by jealousy over their father’s favoritism and Joseph’s role as their supervisor, his brothers hated him. What followed was thirteen years of grueling hardship.
The Cry from the Pit
Throughout his ordeal, Joseph often reminded himself—and those around him—of his innocence. In the depths of an Egyptian dungeon, he pleaded, “…for I was indeed stolen out of the land of Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit” (Genesis 40:15 ESV).
Have you ever found yourself in a season of suffering so severe, and at such a high personal cost, that your soul cries out, “This isn’t right?” Like Joseph you have been faithful, yet you find yourself stuck, discarded or forgotten. In these moments, we must ask: What if the Lord is orchestrating these trials for our good and His glory? What if He is shaping my character in a "pit" that is actually a divine darkroom?
The Process of the Developer
In the days of film photography, creating a masterpiece required a specific environment: total darkness and precise chemical reactions. To bring what was hidden on the film into the light, the photographer followed a strict process:
Toxic Elements, Divine Protection
Your journey may not mirror Joseph’s exactly, but we all face seasons of "development." God allows various "chemically toxic" events to touch our lives, but He never permits them to destroy us. He knows when to say “…devil that is enough!” It may feel as though you are trapped in pit, a dry place, moving from one crisis to the next. But remember, God is in the middle of the process. Just as He added grace to Joseph’s administrative skills and clarity to his visions, He is using your current trial to hone your unique gifts.
The Paradox of the Progress
There is a striking paradox in Joseph’s story. He went down to Dothan, down to Egypt, and down into a prison. By every worldly metric, Joseph was supposed to die. Yet, in the midst of this thirteen-year descent, the writer of Genesis makes a staggering claim: Joseph was a prosperous man (Genesis 39:2). While Joseph was going "downhill" in the eyes of men, he was actually moving closer to the ear and throne of the Pharaoh. Every step into the dark was a step toward the palace.
The Great Restoration
Do not be dismayed by the trials or the feeling of being stifled in a dungeon. Do not resent the "agitation" of the process or the "haters" who put you there. Release the bitterness over the demotion or the loss of status. God is with you in the darkroom. The "shaking" you are experiencing may have cost you the initial “coat” that you once wore, but God is preparing to bring you out for His glory. He will add to and multiply you just like He did for Joseph. In the end, Joseph did not just get his coat back; he received a signet ring, a royal chariot, and a position where the world bowed before the wisdom God had developed in him. Trust the Developer, He is making something beautiful in you! You have no idea regarding the glory that will be revealed in and through you!
Blessings,
Pastor Z Adderley
My journey through the scriptures recently brought me to the life of Joseph, the favored son of Jacob. In Genesis 37, we see a close-up of a young man whose faithfulness to his father and his God was undeniable. When God began speaking to him through dreams, Joseph had no idea that the assignment on his life was far greater than his teenage mind could grasp. Because of the magnitude of his calling, Joseph entered a season of intense refining that began at just seventeen years old. Driven by jealousy over their father’s favoritism and Joseph’s role as their supervisor, his brothers hated him. What followed was thirteen years of grueling hardship.
The Cry from the Pit
Throughout his ordeal, Joseph often reminded himself—and those around him—of his innocence. In the depths of an Egyptian dungeon, he pleaded, “…for I was indeed stolen out of the land of Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit” (Genesis 40:15 ESV).
Have you ever found yourself in a season of suffering so severe, and at such a high personal cost, that your soul cries out, “This isn’t right?” Like Joseph you have been faithful, yet you find yourself stuck, discarded or forgotten. In these moments, we must ask: What if the Lord is orchestrating these trials for our good and His glory? What if He is shaping my character in a "pit" that is actually a divine darkroom?
The Process of the Developer
In the days of film photography, creating a masterpiece required a specific environment: total darkness and precise chemical reactions. To bring what was hidden on the film into the light, the photographer followed a strict process:
- A Darkroom: The exposed film was placed in a light-tight tank, shielded from any outside interference.
- A Touch From Chemicals: A developer solution was introduced to reveal the hidden images.
- A “That’s Enough” Bath: A second chemical wash was used to halt the process, ensuring the photo did not over-develop or become distorted.
- Intermittent Agitation: Throughout the stages, the developer would shake the tank vigorously to ensure the chemicals coated every inch of the film before it was finally dried and presented as a finished work of art.
Toxic Elements, Divine Protection
Your journey may not mirror Joseph’s exactly, but we all face seasons of "development." God allows various "chemically toxic" events to touch our lives, but He never permits them to destroy us. He knows when to say “…devil that is enough!” It may feel as though you are trapped in pit, a dry place, moving from one crisis to the next. But remember, God is in the middle of the process. Just as He added grace to Joseph’s administrative skills and clarity to his visions, He is using your current trial to hone your unique gifts.
The Paradox of the Progress
There is a striking paradox in Joseph’s story. He went down to Dothan, down to Egypt, and down into a prison. By every worldly metric, Joseph was supposed to die. Yet, in the midst of this thirteen-year descent, the writer of Genesis makes a staggering claim: Joseph was a prosperous man (Genesis 39:2). While Joseph was going "downhill" in the eyes of men, he was actually moving closer to the ear and throne of the Pharaoh. Every step into the dark was a step toward the palace.
The Great Restoration
Do not be dismayed by the trials or the feeling of being stifled in a dungeon. Do not resent the "agitation" of the process or the "haters" who put you there. Release the bitterness over the demotion or the loss of status. God is with you in the darkroom. The "shaking" you are experiencing may have cost you the initial “coat” that you once wore, but God is preparing to bring you out for His glory. He will add to and multiply you just like He did for Joseph. In the end, Joseph did not just get his coat back; he received a signet ring, a royal chariot, and a position where the world bowed before the wisdom God had developed in him. Trust the Developer, He is making something beautiful in you! You have no idea regarding the glory that will be revealed in and through you!
Blessings,
Pastor Z Adderley
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