"This is the message just as I have told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. Take note! Seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt are coming. Then there will come seven years of hunger and famine, and [there will be so much want that] all the great abundance of the previous years will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and hunger (destitution, starvation) will exhaust (consume, finish) the land. And the plenty will become quite unknown in the land because of that following famine, for it will be very woefully severe. That the dream was sent twice to Pharaoh and in two forms indicates that this thing which God will very soon bring to pass is fully prepared and established by God. So now let Pharaoh seek out and provide a man discreet, understanding, proficient, and wise and set him over the land of Egypt [as governor].  Let Pharaoh do this; then let him select and appoint officers over the land, and take one-fifth [of the produce] of the [whole] land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years [year by year]. And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and lay up grain under the direction and authority of Pharaoh, and let them retain food [in fortified granaries] in the cities. And that food shall be put in store for the country against the seven years of hunger and famine that are to come upon the land of Egypt, so that the land may not be ruined and cut off by the famine. And the plan seemed good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.   - The Greatest Love Story Ever Told  

A plan is required for your promotion.

And all submitted plans must be valuable or good (in the eyes of others) in order to be approved or proceed.

Donald Asher once said, "Promotion is not a reward for past performance, it is a prediction upon the future. No organization rewards a person with a promotion; they are only buying into a prediction, a theory about your future performance." 

Joseph was not promoted because of a lengthy string of past performances (or accomplishments.)  His promotion was the product of a prediction that he was the best man to lead Egypt in the future disaster that was to come.

How is your disaster preparedness plan coming along?

What if things don't change or get better by themselves?  What if employers still won't hire because of the freeze?  What if the market fails to rebound soon enough to save you? 

What are you going to do about it?

What will you do to change the hope of a nation, the life of a dream; the destiny of a team?

Great leaders have a plan when the worst season is coming.  The coming famine in Joseph's day was predicted to be so severe and that all the great abundance of the previous years would be forgotten.  With the famine already in the path of Egypt, Pharaoh promoted Joseph to implement a divine plan to save Egypt from it. 

·        Can you be trusted to plan when you see disaster, trouble and ruin coming? 

·        What is your plan to counter the famine and barrenness that is in your present or future?

·        What is consuming and starving your department, office, career, church or relationships to waste?

Promotion or success only comes to those with a plan to predict or prophesy to the future.

Maybe, you feel you are the most qualified one to obtain the promotion; to lead the department; to lead the church?  But if so, why? 

Is your opinion based on:

·        How long you have been on the job (tenure)

·        The fact that you endured and stayed when many left

·        Your prior accomplishments and awards

·        The project you led; the event you organized, the program you designed?

You can be promoted by nothing in your past. 

A promotion is predicated upon future performance.

Presidents are not elected because of their past performance.  President Obama was only a Senator prior to taking the Oval Office. The United States elected him because he gave them a glimpse of a promise for the future.

Prospective employers do not reward you for past performance.  They haven't experienced it.  It is merely on paper.  They hire you when, because of your track history, they buy into a prediction, a theory that you will exceed the expectations of the last hire or free agent signing.

Are you the best choice, the best bet for a promising future in your industry, city or on your team?

Joseph was.

Gen 41:37-41 continues:

 "The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?"  Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."  So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt." 

Today, you are destined to be in charge of Egypt (your world system, industry or team.) 

Why are you still in prison clothes; Clothed with the rags of your past mistakes, victim mentality and hopelessness?

I dare you to stop crying about how people don't value you and start showing them "how" you are valuable.

Because your creative and spirit born man is no match for the recession or famine that is in your life.

Be proactive: Identify 3 things you must do in the next 3 days to make your plan for promotion a reality.

Make kings, Presidents and employers, as they consider the next replacement, say: "Can we find anyone like (YOUR NAME), one in whom is the spirit of God?"