What sustained Joseph during all of his trials in Egypt? Certainly, a big part of it was his ongoing awareness of God's presence. Despite betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, Joseph remained faithful, attentive to others' needs, and confident in God's presence and plan. Practicing the presence of God is about learning to live aware of being in the presence of God all the time. Theologians sometimes call this living "coram deo"—before the face or gaze of God. As we cultivate this awareness in our lives, it enables us to serve and thrive even while we endure, discern what's what as we make decisions, and to know we're never forgotten by God (even when it feels like it, and even when people do forget us).
Joseph's life was one full of setbacks that shaped his character—but that God used as set-ups for his plans of redemption in the future. In this series we're following his life from Genesis 37 through 50.
