joseph man of suffering man of destiny

FOREWORD BY LOU ENGLE

We see through a glass darkly,” the scriptures expressly declare. “We see in part and know in part,” but such truths shall never leave us license to despise prophecy; indeed, without such we are left to a soul-haunting hopelessness, telling us there are no unseen wings beating over us; there is no transcendent narrative to make sense of our seemingly futile storylines. Without a prophetic vision we run unrestrained, leaning on the broken arm of human reason, bereft of supernatural wisdom and spiritual affections.

Thus to dream dreams and see visions is a crowning human obligation if this life is to be rescued from the tedious boredom of a cause and effect fatalism not tinged by mystery and the divine. Dreams are the portals of Awe, the gateways of Heaven. To dismiss them as mere subconscious psychobabble stew or brew is to curse the divine spark that enlightens every heart and tells us we are more than we know. God has nothing to say to a cynic but endless things to the searcher of His vast storehouse of secrets and thoughts.

The life of the biblical character of Joseph is a wonder-filled starting point for rediscovering a journey into your life AWE-wakening. Two phrases in the book of Genesis frame the living drama of Joseph the dreamer: “Now Joseph had a dream…”, and “Then Joseph remembered his dreams.” Between the dream and the fulfillment of the dream is 13 years of betrayal, slavery, purity tests, false accusations, and a lonely languishing in prison. Life’s curveballs and curses, beatings and betrayals in our journey, like Joseph, are the curative and corrective crash courses, not electives, that frame and forge the character of the one who can bear the crown. Joseph lived his life under the shadow of a dominating prophecy. Joseph had a dream, but the dream had Joseph. It held him in his hopelessness and sustained him in his slavery. Yes, and in the end, the dream proved true. Oh, what an awesome God! We awe-wake from our nightmare into the daylight of a dream. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter and our tongues with shouts of joy” (Ps. 126:1).

What a better man and a better author to write this refreshing rendition of the story of Joseph than Steve Allen. As a mighty man of the Scripture, a missionary and mentor of many, Steve has lived his whole life under the tutelage of Joseph’s journey. Who better than to write this creative fresh telling of Joseph’s true testimony. But as often happens on our highways of commanding destiny, we are confronted by unexplainable sufferings and obstacles like Joseph. The great “Whys” and “How longs” become our conversational companions and no explanations from God are forthcoming. Steve, this man of vision and energy, has been confronted by and thrust under the body-breaking disease of ALS. No human help nor cure stands ready to reverse the slow, debilitating breakdown. Welcome the hope offered in Joseph. Many people can prophesy but true prophets become the embodiment of their prophecy. In some mysterious way, we are called to live out our life message so when we write our words or speak our verses, people don’t just read or hear; they partake of flesh and blood, and are thus transformed. “My words are spirit and life.”

Steve’s is a life of overcoming joy and faith. I’ve never heard him complain when he can barely move a finger. I think sometimes he’s memorized the whole Bible (smile). People’s lives are being framed and formed by his wealth of wisdom. And he and we believe that one day soon and even now he will remember his dreams like Joseph and awe-wake healed.

Read Steve’s refreshing retelling of Joseph’s story. Drink in his wisdom, dream his dreams, and from your pit or your prison be prepared for a knock on the door to hear, “Pharaoh is calling!”

Lou Engle
Visionary Co-founder of TheCall
Author of The Jesus Fast