You are never too old to live your dream ∙∙

You are never too old to live your dream ∙∙

He was thirty years old when he began serving in the court of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. And when Joseph left Pharaoh’s presence, he inspected the entire land of Egypt. – Genesis 41:46

Genesis 41:8-43

8 Pharaoh was very disturbed by the dreams. So he called for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. When Pharaoh told them his dreams, not one of them could tell him what they meant.
14 Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once . . .
15 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream, you can interpret it.”
16 “It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”

17 So Pharaoh told Joseph his dreams . . .

25 Joseph responded, “Both of Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do.

29 The next seven years will be a period of great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt.
30 But afterward there will be seven years of famine so great that all the prosperity will be forgotten in Egypt. Famine will destroy the land.

33 “Therefore, Pharaoh should find an intelligent and wise man and put him in charge of the entire land of Egypt.
34 Then Pharaoh should appoint supervisors over the land and let them collect one-fifth of all the crops during the seven good years.

37 Pharaoh and his officials welcomed Joseph’s suggestions.
38 So Pharaoh asked his officials, “Can we find anyone else like this man so obviously filled with the spirit of God?”

39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are.
40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.”
41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.”
42 Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck.
43 Then he had Joseph ride in the chariot reserved for his second-in-command. And wherever Joseph went, the command was shouted, “Kneel down!” So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt.

Triumph Through Trials

When David Ayres underwent a kidney transplant in 2004, he resigned himself to the idea that his days of playing competitive hockey were over. Yet February 22, 2020, marked the most unforgettable night of his life. Ayres, serving as the emergency backup goalie, got an unexpected text from Reid Mitchell, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ scouting director. The Carolina Hurricanes found themselves in desperate need of a goalie. Both starting goalie James Reimer and backup Petr Mrazek were injured, leaving just over 2 minutes of play remaining. Ayres was called into action.

Despite the odds, Ayres was ready. Having spent eight years as a practice goalie in Toronto, including three years with the Maple Leafs, Ayres honed his skills while waiting for a moment just like this. Stepping into a Hurricanes uniform, he took to the ice to defend their goal.

Ayres gave up two goals but secured eight critical saves, helping the Hurricanes clinch a 6-3 victory. At 42 years old, he became the oldest goaltender to win in his NHL regular-season debut. His remarkable game even earned his stick a spot in the Hockey Hall of Fame, forever commemorating this incredible achievement.

Persevering Through Preparation

The miraculous story of Joseph offers another example of overcoming trials and setbacks. Joseph was one of twelve brothers, favored by his father for his intelligence and striking looks. But this favoritism did him no favors. His eleven brothers, brimming with envy, grew resentful of him. On top of that, he was given dreams and the ability to interpret them. His dreams were his downfall and caused him nothing but trouble. He dreamed that his brothers would one day bow down and serve him. Joseph naively shared these visions, only fueling their anger (Genesis 37:4-11).

His brothers had had enough. When jealousy turned to hatred, Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him. Only Reuben’s intervention saved his life. Instead of murder, they threw Joseph into a cistern. Later, Judah suggested selling him into slavery, and his brothers carried out their cruel plan. At just 17, Joseph was taken to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer.

Potiphar’s Prisoner

Despite the injustice, Joseph thrived under God’s watchful care. Genesis 39:2
“The LORD was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master.”

Potiphar entrusted Joseph with his entire household, but further trials awaited. Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph was imprisoned. For over 12 years, Joseph languished in a dungeon, his dreams seemingly crushed beyond repair. Such dark periods, which Joseph was experiencing, have often been called “The Death of a Vision.” During such an interval, the Father allows His children to wrestle with setbacks, losses, and shattered expectations.

Trusting the Process

From the outside, it appeared that Joseph’s dreams were shattered for good. However, the challenges he faced were not the end of his story; instead, they served as the foundation for what was to come. The Father uses difficult seasons to refine and prepare His children for the future. Through setbacks, disappointments, and disillusionment, He teaches us to rely not on our own abilities, but on His strength and wisdom.

Both Ayres’ hockey triumph and Joseph’s transformation from a forgotten prisoner to Prime Minister illustrate that apparent setbacks are often part of a larger, divine plan. These stories encourage us to move forward with faith, trusting that the challenges we face today are shaping us into who we are meant to become tomorrow.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father acts in ways beyond our comprehension, weaving together unexpected threads to fulfill His promises, often starting with nothing more than dreams and the spark of a hopeful future.

Father, thank You for reminding us that no matter our age or stage in life, it is never too late to pursue the dreams You have placed in our hearts. Encourage us to put our lives entirely in Your hands and trust You to guide our steps toward the future You have prepared for us.

INSIGHT

God Wastes Nothing

Up to now, his dreams had been a source of nothing but pain and rejection. Despite the setbacks, the Father wastes nothing—not His gifts, His plans, nor the dreams He places in the hearts of His children.

From Prisoner to Prime Minister

Joseph’s life stands as proof of this truth. Pharaoh, troubled and desperate to understand his mysterious dream, found no one who could unravel its meaning. However, help what else arose from an unlikely place. One of Joseph’s former prison companions, the cupbearer, remembered the man who had once interpreted his own dream in the dungeon.

Joseph was summoned before Pharaoh, and with wisdom that could only come from God, he not only explained the dream but also laid out a plan to prepare for the famine the dream foretold. Pharaoh, struck by Joseph’s insight and the favor of God upon him, elevated him to a position of power. He was made second in command, serving directly under the Pharaoh. In an instant, the prisoner became the Prime Minister, entrusted with protecting the nation of Egypt. He was being positioned for the unfolding of the Father’s greater purpose.

When the famine arrived, it swept across the lands far and wide, devouring resources and leaving people desperate. But Egypt stood ready. Under Joseph’s careful leadership, the storehouses were overflowing with grain. And then came the moment no one on earth could have ever imagined. Joseph’s brothers, the very ones who had betrayed and sold him into slavery, arrived in Egypt seeking food. Unknowingly, they bowed before the brother they once scorned, fulfilling the dream Joseph had shared with them so long ago.

The Death of the Vision

For many children of the King, the death of a vision is an all-too-familiar experience. There are seasons when dreams seem to wither, leaving nothing but disappointment in their wake. Yet, these seasons serve a purpose.

Bill Gothard notes that “This ‘season’ of waiting provides us with the opportunity to develop Christlike character, to realize our shortcomings and inadequacies, and to trust God to demonstrate His power and bring the vision to fulfillment.”

Never too old to live out your dream

No child of the King is ever too old, too broken, or too forgotten to see their God-given dreams come alive. Joseph endured some 13 challenging years before the dreams placed in his heart by God were realized. During that time, he faced betrayal, injustice, and deep heartbreak. Yet, through every twist and trial, the Father’s faithfulness never wavered. What may seem like the end of a dream is often just one step in its ultimate fulfillment.

Waiting is never easy. It is one of life’s most difficult tests. But God’s promises remain unshakable. His timing is always perfect. As Ephesians 3:20 reminds us, He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all we could ask or think. Sometimes the death of a vision is the very foundation upon which its ultimate realization is built. The hardest part is walking in faith during the dark night of our soul.

The conclusion of the story always surpasses our expectations. His plans are more excellent, His purposes higher, and His fulfillment infinitely more beautiful than anything we could have dreamed. He is faithful to the very end, crafting outcomes that exceed even our wildest imagination.

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© Dr. H 2025