Live God’s Dream

When challenges come, sometimes quitting seems the best option. But God is showing me He’s got a plan, and often, it’s revealed through dreams and visions. The bible has situations where He prophesies the future, like what He did with Joseph at seventeen. God gave this young man dreams. He and his brothers were in the fields binding sheaves in one of his dreams, and his sheaves arose, and theirs bowed. He dreamt that the sun, moon, and stars bowed before him in another dream, and again he shared that dream with his father and brothers. Joseph sharing his dreams with his brothers wasn’t a good idea, at least; it doesn’t appear so. But God! Makes all things work for our good (Rom. 8:28). Joseph’s sharing landed him in Egypt, where he was sold as a slave (Gen. 37). But that isn’t the end of the story since the Lord was with Joseph; he caused him to prosper. In his master’s house and prison, God made Joseph grow. The favor he experienced was due to the presence of the Lord.  

I recently suggested to a friend, “Why don’t you just walk away and let him (her husband) have it,” referring to her house. She explained, “my house is my dream home.” That shut me down and cause me to pray. God has not given a dream of tears and abuse. Jesus said, “He came that you might have life more abundantly (John 10:10).” I am of the mindset nothing is worth my peace. Then I read an article by Niklas Goke titled “The Rule of 70/20/10. In this article, he sites the Ip man perfectly represents this ideal, and that’s why he’s an admirable character. Intrigued by the piece, I searched for the movie on the internet. He doesn’t fight to fight. He wants to maintain peace among his community. Only if the fighting serves a higher goal does he break out his fists. The highest cause is a goal or dream; whether that dream is as tangible as a house or intangible as peace, it’s worth the fight! 

In Joseph’s situation, he served 13 years before he walked into his dreams. For thirteen years, he served as a slave. A prisoner for no crime committed. This man, Joseph, refused to sleep with his master’s wife. Offended and rejected by a slave, she lies on him, getting him thrown in prison (Gen. 39:7-21). But in prison, God’s favor still elevated Joseph. God’s blessings are more excellent than adverse circumstances! Wherever this man landed, God caused him to land on his feet. He interprets the dreams of the chief baker and chief butler; he said to them, “Do not interpretation belong to God?”

I admire Joseph’s integrity and faithfulness during this time. I know I would’ve been depressed and felt forgotten about by God, but not Joseph. The scriptures don’t say he remembered the dreams God gave him, but I am sure he did. You read how Joseph spoke about God during this difficult time. I can’t imagine the hurt and pain from the betrayal of his brothers, but God was with him. Every time I’ve read through this story, I always glean something from it. I see Jesus, my Lord and savior, betrayed by the Pharisees and the Sadducees’ fellow jews. But again, a higher purpose was at work. Joseph, in the end, was elevated to a position, not for himself but his whole family. Both Jesus and Joseph knew their fathers loved them. When God gives a dream, He has a bigger future in mind. Remember for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life, John 3:16. Father God so loves that He gave, and Jesus is the receipt of that love. Believe in Him and allow God to transform you for eternal glory.