Protect your Dreams

Today's Reading: Genesis 36-38; Matthew 10: 21-42

"Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 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."

His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said." - Genesis 37: 5-8


Introducing Joseph…


The insufferable, arrogant, spoiled kid Joseph.


In the beginning of this chapter we see Joseph as the favored son wearing his technicolor dream coat and snitchin’ on this brothers while playing overseer.
Not a very likeable guy at this point.


But there is something that that I once heard a pastor say about this message: we have to be careful about who we share our dreams with.
Ok I know, we don’t all have dreams about our brothers bowing to us in worship but this is an important lesson to learn. Have you ever told someone about a goal that you want to achieve, or a dream that you have held close to your heart? And when you spoke about said dream, did you ever have anyone play the naysayer role?


Clearly I’m not talking about the time that you shared with your friend that you always dreamed of robbing a bank or being a high class call girl, or trying out for American Idol when you sing like this guy. The great people in our lives will clearly try to smash out any ideas that will hurt us in the long run.


But what about when you told that naysayer about that dream you had of writing a book, or starting a business or traveling the world? All they could come up with were the risks and reasons why you shouldn’t pursue it. They didn’t help you brainstorm a plan of action or strategy for you to walk that path with grace. They didn’t encourage you to find a way.


It’s not necessarily that these kinds of people don’t love you. On the contrary they probably think that their input is an expression of their love.


Sometimes the people around us that seem to want the best for us may have a problem when we become active dreamers. Maybe it is because things aren’t going so well for them in their lives. Maybe they have some kind of deep seeded competitive nature they are unaware of that makes them compare themselves with you. Or maybe it is that they had a dream that they went for and failed and don’t want you to experience the same pain. Or even worse, they never went for it at all.


It could be many different things.


But it’s important to share your dreams with the right people. These are the same people who are there for you when you are down AND are there to celebrate with you when you are up. These are the people who believe in dreams for themselves and others; who will help you achieve them and celebrate with you when you do. They will be honest when things don’t seem right, not because they are trying to hurt you, but because they want to help you to be the best you can be in pursuit of that dream.

You may not have anyone in your life like this now. That’s tough, but it’s ok. Look for other people who have done what you want to do an connect with them. Find a mentor. Make new friends. Or even keep the dream to yourself if you have to.

Our dreams are precious. Protect it at all costs. Expose them to the refining fire of loving, and faithful people who will share in your enthusiasm to make the dream come true. Keep them from the consuming plague of folk who may have a hard time with reaching a place of true joy and happiness.

It may seem like it is hard to know who is who, but as we grow in our faith to live the life of a dreamer, those around us will make it crystal clear which camp they are in.

We just have to keep our eyes open.