Day 1: Build On A Foundation Of Character

“But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.”

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”

I like order.

Whether that comes from my type A extremism or a compulsive necessity for organization, “order” keeps the world going ‘round for me.

So, imagine how hard I find it to begin a bible study out of order. But that’s the way this story must unfold. Why? Well, to get to the root of what it means to be a Trailblazer—a person whose life exemplifies the way of Jesus—then we can’t start “in the beginning.”

Let me explain.

Joseph’s story comes on the heels of three patriarchal biographies of Israel, God’s chosen nation. Abraham, Isaac (Abraham’s son), and Jacob (Isaac’s son) became the forefathers of God’s nation. With these three men and their families, God set in motion the redemptive story of his people.

Joseph was a miracle baby, of sorts. Dad had him long after he thought he’d finished having children.

Jacob showered Joseph with favor, even giving his young son a swaggy (Gen Z translation for “ornate,” meaning elaborate or decorated) robe to wear while taking care of Dad’s sheep. As you might imagine, Joseph’s 10 older brothers did not appreciate this gift.

Joseph didn’t help his cause when he followed up the robe ceremony by enthusiastically over-detailing two dreams he’d had, which featured the sun, moon, and stars (representing his family) bowing down to him.

Joseph’s angry brothers did not receive his dreams any better than they did his coat. Between the robe and the dreams, Joseph’s brothers’ hatred toward him reached a boiling point. While in the field shepherding one day, Joseph’s brothers devised a plan to get rid of Joseph.

Almost a decade later, after being taken to a foreign land, sold into slavery, thrown into prison, forgotten and left to die, and then elevated to second-in-command over all of Egypt, Joseph’s brothers arrive looking for food in the midst of a nationwide famine.

And then, the craziest thing happens…

Joseph’s brothers bow down to Joseph.

The story ends with family reunions, happy tears, and a restored relationship between Joseph and his father, Jacob. All is well with the world, and Joseph perfectly sums up the journey in Genesis 45: “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”

Joseph then reassures his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” Genesis 50:20 (NLT).

In this story we discover the true essence of a Trailblazer, as well as why our story must begin with Joseph. Throughout all of Joseph’s life—amidst bad circumstances, in seasons of divine favor, and in instances of horrendous fortune—one thing remains steady and intact: his character.

Character lies at the very core of a Trailblazer.

Without character, all other commendable traits falter and wither. Character creates an environment ripe for God to work in us and through us.

So, while I really like order, I love character more. Which is why the life of a Trailblazer must begin with building a foundation of character—and that requires time, temperance, and commitment. We must willingly make the right decisions, do the right things, say the right words at the right times, and then do that over and over and over again.

How does the quote go? “Trust is built in drops and lost in buckets.” The same goes for character. We build it in drops and lose it in buckets.

Character matters.

THE QUESTION: Are my words, thoughts, and actions building up or tearing down my character?