The Furnace of LeadershipSýnishorn

When the Test Reveals the Transformation

Joseph had to know. He had seen the bowing, heard the stories, shared the table—but he hadn’t yet seen their hearts. Not really. So he sets up a test: Benjamin, the youngest, the new favourite, is framed. The brothers are given a choice—leave him, or lay down their lives.

Years ago, they had sold Joseph to save themselves. Now… would they do the same to Benjamin?

But this time, something shifts. Judah speaks—not with pride, but with passion. Not to save himself, but to protect his father and his brother. He offers his own life in exchange.

This wasn’t the same man who once led the charge to sell Joseph. God had changed him. And Joseph, listening through the ache, finally sees it too.

Sometimes, leadership means testing—not to trap, but to reveal. Not to punish, but to discern what’s been formed in the hidden places of someone’s soul. Joseph wasn’t playing games—he was watching for growth.

And sometimes, we’re the ones being tested. Our loyalty. Our compassion. Our ability to take responsibility and lead with humility. These moments don’t just expose others—they expose us too.

Grace isn’t blind. It sees clearly—and still forgives.

Dear leader, my encouragement to you today is this: The world teaches us to be suspicious of change—to guard ourselves, to doubt apologies, to wait for proof. But as Christian leaders, we’re called to something deeper—to give people room to grow, space to change, and time to show who they’re becoming.

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

• Have you ever walked through a situation that tested whether your heart had truly changed?
• In leadership, how do you balance discernment with compassion when others are in a process of growth?
• Is there someone in your life whose transformation you've been hesitant to believe in—what might God be inviting you to see differently?