We all have wonderful dreams. This dreaming process is part and parcel of our being. We dream when we are asleep and we also dream when we are wide awake. But dreams have no substance and, sooner or later, will be consigned to oblivion, unless followed through with action and made it into a reality. The prophet Isaiah fitly described the vanity of dreams when he said, “As when a hungry man dreams that he is eating, but he awakens, and his hunger remains; as when a thirsty man dreams that he is drinking, but he awakens faint, with his thirst unquenched. So will it be with the hordes of all the nations that fight against Mount Zion” (Isa. 29:8). But while dreaming can be pointless since it lacks substance, it can also be a tool to accomplish great things, if followed through. It is for this reason that we are dared to dream.
Dreams are a series of thoughts, images and sensations that happen when we are asleep. However, we can also dream while we are awake – we call this daydreaming. This happens when we temporarily detach ourselves from reality and substitute it with visionary fantasies – happy and pleasant thoughts or ambitions. When these dreams are pursued, this can bring about good success. This was the case of the Jews when they came out of the land of captivity. They persevered and endured while in captivity and, when their dreams finally came to pass, confessed, “When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:1-3). It was a dream come true.
When we dream, we should not limit God. Dream big, it is free. No one can stop us from dreaming. But again, a dream remains as a dream unless we take appropriate actions to make it happen. To emphasize the boundlessness of our dreams, the Lord said, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord , ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11). The Lord has great plans for us and it is up to us to do something to claim it for ourselves. Even the smallest step that we take can bring about the fulfillment of our dreams. Our inaction can kill our dreams. Others may also come and try to kill them but let your dreams remain alive by trusting in the Lord as you pursue your dreams vigorously.
Dreams can also be the result of cares and burdens. The Book of Ecclesiastes tells us, “As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words” (Eccl. 5:3). But it must be remembered that God also speaks through dreams. Why would God use dreams to speak or communicate with us? There are at least four reasons why God would do that. Firstly, he uses them to give warnings. When Jesus was still a baby, “an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him’” (Matt. 2:13).
Secondly, God uses dreams to reveal his plans. The Lord revealed his plan to Joseph of becoming great one day through dreams. Joseph shared his dreams saying, “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” (Gen. 37:6-7). While his brothers tried to kill his dreams, The Lord sustained Joseph until such dreams were fulfilled.
Thirdly, God uses dreams to rebuke wrong doings. When Abraham moved to Gerar, the King of Gerar took Sarah to become his wife. But God came to Abimelech in a dream one night and said to him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken; she is a married woman” (Gen. 20:3).
Lastly, God uses dreams to bestow blessings. When Solomon was ordained King of Israel, he was young and inexperienced. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” Solomon replied, “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong” (1 King 3:5-9). God was pleased with his request and blessed him with wisdom. In addition, he also blessed him with honor and riches.
Therefore, do not belittle dreams and treat them as mere fantasies. God can use dreams as a powerful tool to communicate his plans and to accomplish great things. Dream big and be blessed. Hallelujah!
