Are You Living the Dream?

This devotional was written by Robin Dugall

In the last days, God says, "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” —Acts 2:17

Dreams are the touchstones
of our characters.
For in dreams we act a part
which must have been learned and rehearsed
In our waking hours.
Our truest life is when
we are in dreams awake.
—Henry David Thoreau

Right above my desk is this powerful poem by Henry David Thoreau. It is something that I read daily. I have always been a dreamer. I love allowing myself to be swept up in hopes and possibilities. I love the wonders of imagination and the fun that is captured when our hearts are free to think outside the box.

I’ve always admired one of the biggest dreamers in the Bible, Joseph. His brothers disliked him because he was a big dreamer. As a result of his dreams, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Yet, despite the many setbacks Joseph experienced, he was not deterred by persecution, misunderstanding or trials when it came to being the person God had made him to be. He not only kept dreaming despite his circumstances but it would be fair to say that those dreams defined his life. It was his dreams that eventually led him to live out his giftedness and be positioned in a place where he actually saved the lives of his entire family, continuing the legacy of the covenant God had made with His people.

I don’t think we allow ourselves to dream very often anymore. Most of us are told to give up our dreams and to squelch our fantasies. Dreamers are often put down for being too unrealistic. As childhood passes, adults soon learn that life is more defined by ”bottom lines” than by visions and aspirations. Still, God loves dreamers! The Lord Jesus Himself reminded us that when His Spirit falls on people, they become “dreamers and visionaries.” He reminds us of the fact that we were created to dream, see, and experience life that is bigger, more majestic, and built on justice, grace and love. Without dreams, reality crushes the spirit of a man or woman. A person with dreams is one filled with hope and anticipation. What is your dream? In your wildest imagination, how do you see God loving and using you to make a difference in your world to His glory? Don’t be afraid to dream!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What are some of the things you dream about?  Have you been encouraged or discouraged to think outside the box?

2. How do you encourage those around you to dream?

3. Who are the people in your life who bring out the best in you?  How can you deepen those relationships?

FURTHER READING:

Genesis 37:19-20Daniel 2, Joel 2:28-29 

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