I pose these questions as I continue my quest to discover these very answers for myself – Joseph’s story in Genesis 37: 1-36 – got me thinking about few things. The next few posts will explore the following topics:
4.God is With You Every Step of the Way
God’s Dreams or My Dreams?
First, let’s clarify a key word, so that we are all on the same page. When I speak of dreams, I am not speaking of the types of dreams we have when we sleep. I know that Joseph had a dream while he was asleep, but I believe that God simply used that method to communicate His plans to him. The actual dream came from God and was revealed during Joseph’s sleep. In this context, dreams refers to those ideas and visions that we aspire to achieve…those hopes that either burn deep in us or lie dormant.
Often times, we flood our lives with what we want, what we believe we need and what we think will make us happy, only to find that those things are not as satisfying as we envisioned they would be. It is at those moments that we need to ask ourselves, is this God’s dream or am I trying to live my dream? Is this where God wants me or am I operating out of his will?
I remember being a college student and stubbornly declaring that no matter what, I was not going to go into the field of education. Most of my family were educators and I was determined to blaze my own career trail. I pursued my dreams of corporate America, only to find that while many aspects (money, travel, etc.) were great, it did not satisfy me.
I stayed there for two years and the entire time, I felt as though I was not doing what God really wanted me to do. I was going through the motions because my career was one that others could only dream of. In the end, (you guessed right), I ended up coming to God to find out what He wanted me to do. And yes, I am much happier as an educator than I was as a consultant. I know that I am in the right place for this time, doing what God wants, using the gifts that He has placed in me.
Trying to fulfill my dream often leads to stress, frustration and a lot of spinning around in the same spot. God’s dreams will bring us to a place of satisfaction. God’s dreams will make an impact in the lives of others, and not simply be about our own pleasure or happiness.Joseph’s dreams were not about him at all – instead, they were about the deliverance of a whole nation (Egypt) as well as the deliverance of his family.
Lately I’ve been thinking about what my life’s work is and asking myself what are God’s dreams for me? I don’t know if I have all the answers, but I will keep asking God and seeking His face for the answers. If you are unclear about the dreams you are pursuing, ask God for clarity and wisdom.
