“He said to them, ‘Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.’” Genesis 37:6 NIV
In mid-December, God placed the reflection on my heart of how He lovingly laughs at us when we hold tightly to our plans. My visit to the Anne Frank museum prompted a related reflection. I don’t think I knew she wanted to be a writer and if I did, that’s a fact my brain did not retain from my English teacher more than two decades ago. My immediate thought when I learned that fact was “Wow, God! You fulfilled that dream in ways she never would have expected.” Then it dawned on me that God sometimes operates that way in our lives too.
When Joseph had an actual dream of presiding over his brothers and them bowing down to him, he had no idea that in order for this to happen he would be separated from his family, captured, thrown into slavery, lied on, and thrown into jail in order for that dream to occur. (Genesis 37-50) I highly doubt that Joseph thought he would endure such hardship to realize that dream, and I doubt Anne Frank imagined her dream of becoming a world famous writer would occur after her death and enduring horrific Holocaust conditions. I also doubt God was laughing as they each endured their trials, but rather had a gentle look of assurance that conveyed, “there is purpose in this pain.”
Comparing Joseph and Anne Frank, there are some similarities. Both shared aloud the dream that was on their hearts. This is not “name it and claim it” but a declaration of belief, faith if you will, that the thing can happen. The Bible records “And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.” (James 2:23 NKJV) If there’s a dream on your heart: being a spouse, becoming a parent, moving to a new place, starting a new career, righting a wrong, reconciling a broken relationship, launching a business, or something else, be bold and at least say the dream aloud demonstrating your belief that it can happen.
For Joseph and Anne Frank, once they made the declaration hardship occurred. Some might believe that if they had not said anything, the trials would not have come their way. Yet, we know the Bible provides examples of countless others who endured trial and hardship to fulfill their purpose including Moses, Jonah, David, Ruth, Mary, even Jesus, and more. Like these Bible characters, we too, can find our lives to be seemingly in chaos not realizing how each puzzle piece fits into the bigger picture of our lives.
I don’t know what trial or struggle you may find yourself facing right now. I do know that we are co-heirs with Christ which means if we’re going to share in Christ’s glory, we have to share in His suffering too (Romans 8:17-18). James said, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (1:2-4 NIV) As trials come your way, shift your thinking and consider that whatever you may be facing is actually a divine setup for God to bring forth the dream in you!
Reflection
What dream(s) do I need to say aloud and declare? In what ways can I reframe the trials I am experiencing as purposeful? How can I remind myself that all things will work together for my good?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the gift of a dream. Forgive me for not being bold in declaring my dreams aloud. Grant me the knowledge, wisdom, and discernment to observe how Your Hand is guiding me to my purpose whether I’m in a season of triumph or trials. Give me Your perspective as I go through life so I may become all that You called me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Photo by Hans-Peter Gauster on Unsplash
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