God speaks today in many ways. Generally, through His creation and, specifically, through His Word. In His creativity, God finds various means through which He speaks to His people and to reveal His majesty around the globe. He has used a donkey, a burning bush, a stable with barn animals, an ax head, loaves & fishes, wrecked ships, whales, and more.
God also spoke/speaks through dreams and visions. In the Bible, God spoke powerfully through dreams in the lives of Jacob, Joseph, Pharaoh and Solomon, among others. Visions were given by God to people such as Abraham, Samuel, Zacharias and Peter.
Many people today believe God still speaks through dreams and visions. Usually, dreams happen during sleep and visions occur during times of waking. We must be careful not to say that God cannot do a particular thing. God is able to do whatever he chooses and needs permission from no one.
In today’s culture, most everybody has a dream. Martin Luther King had one as did the bar room “bad guys” in the Disney movie, Tangled. Most of the dreams we hear discussed center around the person who is dreaming. Maybe an invention, vocation or accomplishment.
But what about the dreams God gives in relation to doing His will? At times, He assigns someone a dream/task of major proportions such as building a Christian university, a world-wide ministry or producing a Christian film. Other times, He gives smaller assignments (though no less significant) for pastors of local churches, godly Moms and Dads and “everyday” believers. Discovering God’s will is at the heart of a vibrant and passionate relationship with Him.
We must be aware that along with dreams from the dream Giver there are some dream quenchers along the way. Some of these are:
1. Lack of faith.
2. Fear of failure.
3. Though good-intentioned, negative thinking people.
4. Bad days.
5. Procrastination.
6. Un-dealt with sin.
7. Acceptance of mediocrity.
8. Complainers.
9. Ungodly counsel
10. Doubt
Imagination is a wonderful thing. A godly imagination is even better. And the source of imagination is God Himself. He used it in creation, redemption and designing our future home. Someone once said we are never more like God than when we create. And creating starts with imagination.
And what about when the dream never materializes? Does that mean it was not valid or from God? Absolutely not! God could have any number of reasons for removing or delaying the dream. Maybe it was a test of the mind or heart. Maybe it was to check our obedience readiness. Perhaps someone was touched in a special way through the process. Or God did some reshaping of attitudes. One thing is certain: God is sovereign. We may never know the answer to why the dream was removed or delayed…but we can trust Him with it. Even if it happens multiple times.
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