Here I Am, Yet Near You Are
Written by Emily Gorski
In Genesis 40, we find Joseph still living in prison for an unjust reason. He is joined by two of Pharaoh’s officials, the Cupbearer and the Baker, and he interprets their dreams with God’s power. Knowing that the Cupbearer would soon be released from prison, Joseph asks him to remember him and mention his name to Pharaoh so that he too can leave. After three days, the Cupbearer is restored in the sight of Pharaoh as Joseph said, but he forgets about Joseph and makes no mention of him.
Can you imagine what Joseph was thinking in this moment? Here I am, God! In prison for something I haven’t done, not knowing how long I’ll be here, and forgotten by someone who could have helped me get the heck out of here. What do we do when we feel stuck or forgotten somewhere, and we can’t see the bigger picture of our situation? Because let’s be honest, it can be SO hard. Well, first we eat some of our favorite ice cream ;) but then, it’s important to acknowledge where we are, at the feet of Jesus. He doesn’t ask us to pretend like we love the spot we’re in, or like we don’t need any help. Instead, he invites us to bring him our real emotions, fears, and doubts in honest prayer and reflection. He also invites us to acknowledge the power and faithfulness of our big God.
In Joseph’s story, we can see from beginning to end the fingerprints of God’s love and how he was working for good. We see God allowing Joseph to be in charge of the other prisoners and giving him opportunities to serve, interact with, and notice the people in there with him…we see God granting Joseph power to interpret dreams…in the end, we see God releasing Joseph and making him 2nd in command of all of Egypt. We might not be able to understand our own situations yet, but this story of God’s faithfulness is an encouragement to acknowledge God’s presence in the waiting. God is building in each of us a heart of holy expectation that he will weave together a story far greater than we could imagine. Below are some words I wrote that could be used as a prayer. Tell Jesus where you are. He already knows, but tell him anyway. And let him remind you that he’s right there next to you.
Here I am
This prison feels unjust
Wondering and waiting
Is it possible to trust?
Here I am
I see no clear way out
Listening and praying
God, take my fear and doubt.
Here I am,
My hopes let down by man
Pondering and asking
Am I really in your plan?
Yet near You are
Your love holds fast to me
Paving and preparing
The roads I can’t yet see.
Yet near You are
You work daily on my heart
Pruning and refining
You’re painting a work of art.
Yet near You are
You whisper in my ear:
Child, there is purpose
In this time and place right here.