Just Dreaming
One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. “Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!”
His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them.
Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” Genesis 37:5-9
The other day, I found myself reflecting on dreams. As I approached forty years since starting my career as a teenager, I wondered if I had lived out my dreams. Initially, a sense of sadness washed over me, realizing that maybe I had let my dreams slip away. But then, I pondered further. I had indeed achieved many of my dreams, those aspirations I had once held dear. The sadness stemmed not from unfulfilled dreams but from achieving them and not envisioning new ones. In the hustle and bustle of life, I had not given myself the space to dream anew.
Now, a new challenge lies ahead: dreaming of what is yet to come. With new opportunities on the horizon, I grapple with the fear of coasting through life without fresh dreams to guide me. Have I allowed myself to coast, forgetting that dreaming is a continuous journey, not a destination?
This brings me to a common concern in our faith journey. Many of us have experienced triumphs and trials that have strengthened our faith in God. He remains faithful, and we may find ourselves content. But should we be content? In the words of a famous author, are we choosing comfort over courage? This has forced me to rethink how I view my relationship with God, and now, a feeling of discontent has hit me. Yet, this is not a bad thing. Sometimes, we need to feel a level of discontent.
God always wants us to grow in our faith. It should never be stagnant, and we should listen to His direction. The dreams God gave Joseph seemed unrealistic. Despite being despised by his brothers and sold into slavery, Joseph maintained unwavering belief in the dreams he received from God. Once Joseph was elevated and his dream was fulfilled, he stayed faithful to God and ensured the care of his brothers, and their children. Furthermore, the fulfillment of his initial dream paved the way for another vision that extended beyond his lifetime.
“Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land He solemnly promised to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” (Genesis 50:24)
Joseph's dedication to God resulted not only in the fulfillment of his dreams but also to a new vision that ultimately led to the story of Moses. This narrative teaches us that the realization of our dreams does not signify the end of God's plans for us. Joseph blessed both his brothers and their children. Consequently, if we are in a position of contentment in our journey, it might be an opportunity to share our blessings with others. Whether it is sharing our knowledge or serving others, dedicating ourselves to the wellbeing of others is a way to serve God beyond own lives and foster continuous personal growth.
Discontent in our relationship with God simply means we need to act. Standing pat is not an option. Joseph's story may appear to be about following a dream, but it encompasses much more! It involves adhering to God’s instruction, which has broader implications than personal aspirations. It encourages us to pursue the tasks we are inspired to undertake and support others in achieving their goals. Are you satisfied with your spiritual progress? What aspiration requires your active pursuit? My prayer is we never lose sight of our God inspired dreams and simply act. Not just dream. Amen.