Beyond the Palace
We have spent several weeks looking at the principles Joseph used to go from the pit to the palace. To recap, we learned:
To discern whether or not we have a circle of friends or a group of people who create a cage for us
There is nothing anyone can take away from us that will keep God from propelling us into our future
No matter how uncomfortable the pit is, it is often the path to our true purpose
Even if people treat us as if we’re worth a mere twenty pieces of silver, our true worth is determined by God
If we are to be truly successful, we must adapt and learn the customs, culture and language of where we are aspiring to go
To continue to steward our time and gifts, like Joseph did in prison, serving as unto the Lord
To fully occupy our place in the ‘palace’, we need to forgive and be healed from the hurt, anger, bitterness and/or being betrayed by others
After all of these lessons, most believe that Joseph’s true success was making it to the palace. However, I submit that Joseph’s true success was his legacy. It was not making it to the palace, but what he did while he was there.
While saving his brothers and his people from starvation and extinction, Joseph’s actions preserved the lineage of Jacob which was crucial for the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham. And even more powerful, was that the act of sparing and sustaining his brothers ensured the bloodline of Christ. Joseph’s action not only saved his family and his people but allowed the savior to be born and save the world. Joseph’s true success could only be measured after he was gone. His legacy touched the world. It’s not the things we acquire but the people we touch even after we’re gone that is the true measure of success.
When I became one of the youngest—and only the 4th African American to be appointed to the bench in Santa Clara County—I knew that being a judge was more than just a job. I knew that how I conducted myself could be a bridge or a wall to the next person of color who aspired to the bench. I have mentored countless young people who, like me, wanted something beyond our modest neighborhoods. I have coached numerous law students and lawyers who aspired to the bench. I want my legacy to be, not just that I held the position, but that I created a bridge for others to accomplish what I accomplished and more. Off of the bench, I pray my legacy is that I’ve helped a multitude of people break free from limiting beliefs and steward their lives to the abundance God has called them to.
Presiding Action
What is it you think about when you think about being successful? Is it the position, the amount of money you make or the things you can buy? There is nothing wrong with any of those things, but success is much more than that. It is about what we leave behind. We can leave behind our material assets, our accomplishments, our family traditions and our culture. We can also work to leave behind something that will transform and give hope to those generations that come after us. What are you going to leave behind? What is your legacy?
