Denton County Living Well Magazine Summer 2015 | Page 14
The Dreamer
M
By Michelle Wallace
ost people know the story of Joseph and
his coat of many colors. Joseph had the
favor of his father, and Joseph had a
dream. The word for “dream” in context of Joseph’s story means to become
healthy, strong and robust. One commentary further explains: “The Hebrew word for “had a dream” means “to
bind firmly.” Joseph became firmly bound up in the dream
that God had given him. Dreams that are from God are
spiritual experiences that root deep in our hearts, never
to be forgotten. “Joseph had a dream,” but perhaps we
could more accurately say that the dream had Joseph!”
Recently I’ve been reminded of the importance of writing down our dreams, our goals and vision. In Habakkuk 2 the prophet asked some of the same questions we
might ask God today. “Why do you make me look at
injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and
conflict abounds.” Then he went to a place where he
could listen for God’s answer. Much like Joseph, God
gave Habakkuk a vision or dream. He told the prophet
to write the vision down and to make it plain so that
a runner could carry the correct message to others. In
other words, God wanted it legible so that whoever
read the message could share the good news. In Habakkuk’s case the news was of the enemies coming doom and Judah’s deliverance.
God told Habakkuk the vision might seem slow in coming but to wait patiently
because it would surely happen. Joseph waited patiently too. And the dream
sustained him throughout the years, through all the struggles and trials.
The bible tells us without vision people die. Proverbs 29: 18 says without vision the people cast off restraint. They run wild. Wow, do we see that in our
world today! Everyone needs to have purpose, a dream, and a destiny.
As we get older we can continue to dream dreams and live the full number of our days
strong, healthy and robust, or we can stop dreaming and grow weaker over time.
I believe it’s time to dream again. God wants us to write our vision. I’ll