Dreaming

In a dream, Joseph saw the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow to him. If that dream was as vivid as the dreams that turned my life in an entirely different direction, I can understand why he had to tell others. His dreams certainly changed his life in ways he could never have anticipated. His father, Jacob, also had a dream that changed his life.

As he dreamed, he saw a stairway from Earth to Heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the stairs. When Jacob woke up, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I didn’t know.” — Genesis 28:12, 16

Ten Thoughts to Ponder

1. Dreaming is worthless roleplay unless it becomes reality.
2. God is grieved beyond description because he cannot force us to accept his priceless gift of salvation.
3. A closed mind can only be unlocked from the inside.
4. God’s inaction is as much a miracle as his action.
5. Unlike me, God cannot act without knowledge, understanding, and purpose.
6. The word spectacular acquires greater meaning when we see more of God at work.
7. God’s light shining through us is crucial to brighten our very dark world.
8. Our greatest opportunity is to take the next right step with the Lord.
9. Until we recognize the problem, we’re in no position to appreciate the solution.
10. We don’t always know what we want, let alone know what God knows we need.

Questions for Further Thought

• How can we avoid nightmares and enjoy only pleasant dreams?
• What distinguishes a dream from the Lord and a dream from our memories, activities, and concerns?