Simplify Life

Many people needlessly complicate life. They say, “I need a new TV,” or, “I need a new car,” and they buy things they cannot afford. The economic difficulties that we see around us should encourage us to simplify our lives and live within our means.
In 1845 the author Thoreau decided to try a simplified life. He built a small cabin, planted a garden, and spent his time studying nature and writing. For two years he lived in the cabin until his experiment ended and he left with the conclusion that the four things we really need are food, clothing, shelter, and fuel.
I don't think that we should all move to cabins in the woods, but we can simplify our lives by removing things we don't need. Do we “need” a big screen TV, or would a smaller TV work? Do we “need” a new car, or would an older model drive just as well? If we live within our means, we will be free of debt and be able to do as Thoreau did and enjoy the world around us.

Diligence in Trials

Last week I wrote about Joseph's courage when faced with temptation. This week I'd like to look at the story from another angle. Joseph was the eleventh of twelve sons, but he was his father's favorite. His older brothers became annoyed because he was the more righteous than they were. One day they decided to kill Joseph, but the oldest convinced them not to do so. Instead, they sold Joseph as a slave to a company going to Egypt, where he was sold to Potiphar.
Joseph was the favorite son of a rich man, but now he was just a lowly servant. Instead of complaining about what his brothers had done, Joseph started working. He soon became Potiphar's most trusted servant, but when Potiphar's wife accused him falsely he was thrown in prison.
Again Joseph could complain about how hard and unfair his life was. Instead, he again went to work and prison keeper allowed him to help take care of the prison. Joseph had been betrayed twice, but he did not stop to whine. He kept doing his best even in difficult situations. He made the best of terrible conditions and rose to the highest position available in every place.
When two of Pharaoh's servants were imprisoned, Joseph interpreted their dreams and asked in return that one of them, Pharaoh's butler, speak to Pharaoh and have Joseph released from prison. When the dreams came true the butler returned to his duties and forgot his promise.
After this third betrayal Joseph got another chance when Pharaoh had a dream that he could not understand. The butler remembered his own dream and told Pharaoh that Joseph could interpret. Joseph correctly translated the dream and Pharaoh made him a ruler over Egypt.
Joseph was raised to a position of power because he always worked hard, even when he found himself in difficult situations. We will surprise ourselves with what we can accomplish when we keep working hard, even when everything is against us.

Joseph's Courage

Every day it seems we can find examples of people doing what is wrong because of pressure. This pressure could be a bad group of friends, financial problems, or any of hundreds of other pressures we deal with every day. If we want the world to become a better place, we need to overcome these pressures.
One of my favorite Bible stories is of Joseph in Egypt. His life was hard. He was sold by his own brothers as a slave and became a servant to Potiphar, who was a powerful man in Egypt. Joseph worked hard until he became Potiphar's most trusted servant, but his problems weren't over.
Potiphar's wife lusted after Joseph and tempted him, saying, "Lie with me." He refused and avoided her on a daily basis. Finally, she caught him alone, grabbed him and insisted, "Lie with me." He didn't stop to argue, he "left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." (Genesis 39:12)
Joseph refused to give in to her pressure because he knew that she wanted him to do something wrong. Resisting Potiphar's wife had consequences. She accused him of attempted rape and he lost his position and was thrown in prison. Joseph had the courage to do what is right. All of us need this courage. We need to ask ourselves, "What would I do if I was asked to lie about what my company does?" "What would I do if someone wanted me to help them steal something?" These may seem like stupid examples, but think about what ethical dilemma would be hard for you.
Some would argue that Joseph is a terrible example because his courage seems to have left him worse off than before. But, those who know the rest of the story will remember that prison was the place where Joseph was needed. The sequence of events eventually led him to become Pharaoh's second in command and he was able to save Egypt from a famine. But that part of the story is for next week.
Remember to have the courage that Joseph had to always do what is right. The end result will always be better.

Hope in Troubled Times

In the past years I've noticed a lot of negative prophecies. In just the past decade I remember predictions of widespread computer failure, world war, pandemic deseases, and several other disasters. Most of these predictions were based on fear and had little or nothing to do with reality.
I think that we hear so many predictions like these because people are losing hope. They don't believe that things will get better, only worse. If we want the world to change for the better, then we need to start by hoping and believing that it will.
Take for example John Paul Jones, an American soldier who fought to free America from England. He found himself in an old, rotting merchant ship face to face with a much larger and stronger Brittish ship. He was out gunned, out manned, and stood almost no chance. He still hoped to win.
He forced the British ship to ram him, tied the two ships together and began to fight. His ship took a beating and began sinking. When the captain of the other ship asked if he would surrender, John Paul Jones refused and answered, "I have not yet begun to fight!"
That is hope. With his ship sinking beneath him, John Paul Jones continued to lead his men in battle until the British captain finally surrendered. All of the men moved to the British ship and watched the victorious ship sink.
Hope is what will get us through the hard times. It may get worse before it gets better, but when we hope for the best and work towards it, not even a sinking ship can keep us from reaching our goals.

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