What is a dream?

Dreams are funny things aren't they? How do your explain or describe a
dream? The word "dream" is defined as, "a series of thoughts, images, or
emotions occurring during sleep." (Merriam-Webster dictionary) Of course
dreams are so very different to different people. Some people hate dreams,
because they bring images they fear. Some people on the other hand dream
dreams that are pleasant or let that let them experience things they could
not in real life.

Dreams of this nature do have some draw backs. First they are not real and
second is that we forget them so quickly. Often when we wake we remember the
dream vividly, but after only a few minutes we begin to forget the dream.

We use the word dream in another way also. We sometimes speak of dreams when
we describe those things we imagine, wish or hope we can do or see done. It
deals with our personal visions or goals for ourselves or someone else.

Paul talks about having a dream in Philippians 3:14 where he writes, "I
press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me
heavenward in Christ Jesus." A paraphrase would be, "I'm working hard to
fulfill my dream of one day wining the prize of heaven, which God promised
me."

Some people dream of serving God. Some people dream of having a great
church. Some people dream of having a godly family or a godly spouse. Some
people dream of being missionaries, teachers, preachers or one of many great
things. The problem is that just as with our sleeping dreams we sometimes
forget our dreams, or our visions for ourselves.

T.E. Lawrence once said, "All men dream but not equally. Those who dream by
night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to the day to find it was
all vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for the many act
out their dreams with open eyes, to make it possible..."

Are you a dreamer by night or a dreamer of the day? Some people think they
are too old, too young, don't have enough education or too limited in
someway to dream anything anymore. I personally don't think I will ever stop
dreaming. When you stop dreaming dreams you begin to die inside. I want to
serve God and do something for him and his church as long as I draw a
breath. How about you; are you still dreaming or have you given up?

Russ Lawson