Dreams

Dreams are different for each of us. What do you think of when the word “dream” is mentioned? Are they the nightmares you had as a child or weird scenes from your sleep? Those are two kinds of dreams but what I want to talk about today is a different kind of dream. I want to talk about those things that you desire to do with your life; the events that could be. I want to talk about those kinds of dreams because they can be God-given directions to help you decide what to do in your life. After all, God made you a unique individual and the deep desires that you have in your heart are a part of your uniqueness. So of course God would use this aspect of who you are to guide you through life; to show you how you can help build his kingdom.

Are the dreams that you have for your life seemingly impossible?  Remember with God all things are possible. These dreams can give you purpose and direction in life. Dreams that the Lord has given you are specially for you. God has made you uniquely and no one else can do what you were designed to do.

If you have a dream, don’t give up on it but trust the Lord with it.  He has plans for your life and is delighted when we bring them to Him.  In Proverbs 29:18 we read, “Where there is no vision the people perish”. So don’t be afraid to dream no matter your age.  Even in old age, there are things to do for the Lord. Nowhere does the Bible talk about retiring. In Luke 19:13 he says, "Occupy until I come.”  I think we have a job to do until the end of life.  Things may change, but we are to be doing things for the Lord

Each one of us has a dream. What is it that you dream of?

Myself, for as long as I can remember I wanted to be a teacher. I’d rope my siblings often into playing school and I would read constantly. This dream gave me purpose in my learning. And through my time as a substitute teacher, I had many opportunities to share of the Lord to all of those around me. I also had a dream of living in a hilly country surrounded by forest. I think the Lord saw to it when I got married that we settled into a farm which was in the scenic hill country with lots of bush around it. It was a wonderful place to raise our family and it was on that farm that one day Valley View Bible Camp would find its new home. Another dream I had growing up was to be a missionary in another country. Over my life, the Lord showed me that I had a mission field wherever I was, but He also allowed me to go to the Philippines for a year. I still thank the Lord for how I was able to be a part of the work he is doing there.

Not everyone has a dream, but we can ask the Lord for direction and he has promised to guide us. He has a plan for each person and will lead us one step at a time. Now in retirement, I am told to enjoy life and take it easy. However, the Bible gives us a command to go and tell the good news to those who don’t yet know.  There is no age limit given on this command.  Psalms 92:14, “They will bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green”. So as a senior I know the Lord has a job for me to do as well. I dream of seeing others come to faith and seeing a spiritual revival in the next generation. Without a dream or purpose in life, what is my reason to live? With all these years of experience behind me, the Lord will guide me in the future.

Each of us is here for a purpose and with God’s help, we can make our dreams into reality. When that happens, may the Lord be glorified in all that we do!