db1 responds i will attach the other two

Alisha Gilliland

DB1 Week 2

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Of the 8-character studies given by Don N. Howell Jr., I relate mostly with Joseph: Character refined through suffering, regarding my leadership path.1 In my opinion, I most imitate Joseph; in keeping himself in the presence of the Lord, Integrity, and his confidence in God's sovereignty. 2 Joseph had to deal with hostility, even though he seemed unaware of it, from his brothers.  For me it was my mother, she was very hostile towards me and eventually did try to sell me and attempted to murder me at the age of 14.  Afterward, I was sent to live with my father but after a year, my stepmother accused me of doing awful things, I kept my integrity and stood up to the acquisitions.  I moved out and rented a room until I was emancipated from both my parents.  I got my apartment but had to work 3-4 jobs at a time.  I completed High School and eventually joined the military.  I feel a connection with Joseph because even though I was living, surviving, these experiences I did not waiver in my knowledge that I am loved by God.  God gave me amazing strength to not become weary while I was defending myself against others, while I worked all day, into the night, and while I was completing school to provide for myself.  I did not get involved with the things of the world, which would have been easy in my circumstance but instead, God kept me focused on my future and proving I could survive.  There was not a time when I called on God that He did not come and ease my pain or loneliness. He delivered me from my past and helped me to forgive those that hurt me.  

I long to emulate Joseph by imitating his strong faith and obedience to the tasks God assigned him.  Through reading about Joseph, I realized he had to deliver some difficult messages: impending death while in prison and future death and starvation.3  He discerned and stood strong while delivering messages that others could be unable to interrupt and probably doubted and ridiculed him for. I want to be firm in the knowledge of God's plan for me and not be deviated by others' doubt or understanding. His unwavering loyalty and infinite forgiveness are inspiring, and I hope to emulate those to others in my leadership.  

 

Footnotes 

1 Howell, Don N. Servants of the Servant. 22. 

2 Ibid., 25. 

3 Ibid., 23-24. 

 

 

 

Bibliography 

Howell, Don N. Servants of the Servant: A Biblical Theology of Leadership. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2003. 

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