Dare to Dream

by Tim Howard

The Bible is full of stories about people who had dreams that were recorded for our education. And according to scientific data - All of us dream! We tend to remember the dreams we have while in the ‘REM’ sleep stage because it’s closest to our waking hours but dreams can happen at other stages of sleep as well.

Some are not remembered – Others are bizarre and downright crazy but sometimes they are helpful in teaching us some important things that can adjust our course, give wisdom for the decisions we make and help us better understand our circumstances. Some dreams come from God and others are rooted in the human brain.

God speaks to people through dreams… as is seen throughout scripture but He also gives people His dream for their lives.

You may recall Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister, who was a driving force in the push for racial equality in the 1950’s and the 1960’s.  He dared to dream. On August 28, 1963 he delivered his great, “ I Have a Dream” speech and made a lasting impression on this nation.  Here are a few excerpts to refresh your memory:

“I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream.  It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.  I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed:   ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.’  I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.  I have a dream today.”

God gave a Baptist minister His dream – What is God’s dream for you?

Listen to His words in Jeremiah. 29:11, “For I know the plans (dreams) I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans (dreams) to prosper you and not to harm you, plans (dreams) to give you hope and a future.”

God’s dream for you and your dream for you are often at odds with each other. His dream has everybody’s best interest in mind – but too often our dreams for ourselves are rooted in selfishness.

His dream for you may seem daunting, unattainable and even impossible but if the dream you have for yourself seems attainable, it’s probably yours. If it seems impossible, it’s probably His. I recall the words to the song: “The Impossible Dream” recorded in 1972. The lyrics in part say:

“To dream the impossible dream – To fight the unbeatable foe - To bear with unbearable sorrow – And to run where

the brave dare not go – To right the unrightable wrong

And to love pure and chaste from afar – To try when your arms are too weary… This is my quest – To follow that star

No matter how hopeless – No matter how far – To fight for the right – Without question or pause – To be willing to march, march into hell – For that heavenly cause… And I'll always dream – The impossible dream”

Dare to dream God’s dream for you! Don’t settle for your dreams for you – They are too small.

Matt. 19:26 But Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.