Dream
August 13, 2009 // By: Bob Hamp // 8 Comments
All men dream but not all men dream equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recess of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible. ~ Thomas Edward Lawrence
All my life, I have had the same dreams over and over again. I often dream I can fly, and I frequently dream that I find money, which leads to finding more money. I don’t necessarily take these dreams literally, but nor do I take them lightly. I cannot help but think of the Sea Lion in John Eldredge’s amazing book, Journey of Desire. In short, this Sea Lion had long ago lost the sea, but regularly had dreams of the environment for which he was created. Twisitng, diving, swimming, only to wake again and find himself in the barren lands.
A truth buried deep in his soul stirred his sleeping mind. His environment could not transform his deepest nature nor his deepest longings. And what of us?
I dream I can fly. Should I leap from tall buildings? I am not ready for this, but nor am I ready to surrender to the limitations I have seen thus far in my life. I am CERTAIN THERE IS MORE. More than I have experienced so far. I can sense it. Can’t you? Things that appear to be boundaries or limitations, I am not ready to accept these things as the final word. A part of me was made for dominion over these things. They shall not have dominion over me. Sickness, fear, shattered souls. I have seen God overcome these things in small measure, I am contending for MORE.
I dream again…
So I find money. Just a dollar. But because I look down, I notice a five or a ten nearby. As I move to pick them up, I notice a roll of bills. When I pick it up, they are large bills. The discovery keeps growing. Oddly, in my waking life, I am always looking for treasure. Ask my poor kids…was that a shiny thing on the side of the road? We are turning around. Ten candy wrappers for every one real find, But I am still looking.
Something in me says that treasure is all around us. Probably not cash, but when I find some I am certain that looking that direction will net me MORE. So perhaps keeping my eyes on the ground is the wrong direction to turn, but watching for treasure is not. Treasure in the hearts of people, treasure in the presence and the moves of God in daily life. If I find some, and look, I am sure that more is not far away. Much more.
So these are the dreams I have at night. But something about the deep call of these dreams leads me to dream BIG when I am awake.
I still believe I can change the world. Well…not so much, “me” but the search for treasure and the failure to buy into the limitations. Something about a man who finds treasure in a field and is willing to sell everything he has to purchase it….
I still believe that you and I are citizens of a Kingdom whose ultimate completion is the transformation and restoration of all things. And I believe we are the conduit to usher that Kingdom into now.
Don’t go jumping of any cliffs, but don’t bow so quickly to gravity either. We might just be able to fly
Thanks, Laura Dubroc for the quote at the beginning of the Post.
“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.”… Helen Keller.
8 Comments
Beautiful post. Thanks for encouraging us to dream.
My favorite line: “But something about the deep call of these dreams leads me to dream BIG when I am awake.”
absolutely incredible…love ya Bob
NICE one!!!
I too am a dreamer of the day.
I too believe I can change the world, as bizarre as that may sound to others.
The power of ‘what if’ is very strong in me and energizes action long beyond simple idea. Although I am aware that is where it all starts.
Erwin McManus writes very powerfully about our dreams and in his latest book “Wide Awake” he asks my favorite question:
‘When you die, will they say of you…He died fully awake…?’
Dream on my good friend!
Wow! This paragraph really got me … “A truth buried deep in his soul stirred his sleeping mind. His environment could not transform his deepest nature nor his deepest longings. And what of us?”
I don’t usually pay much attention to my dreams, but now I see they are an access from Him I have overlooked. I can gain insight to who I was created and redeemed to be – I can find FREEDOM – everytime I close my eyes at night!
I am definitely going to start journaling my dreams now and see what there is to see.
Thanks Bob for another tool to discover ME!
Lara, I am enjoying how much you are enjoying these posts!! Thanks for your joyful feedback
Allan, I wonder what we can do if we work together…hmmm
Seriously, Bob….put these in a book. The world needs such refreshing perspectives. You said it yourself: ‘I still believe that you and I are citizens of a Kingdom whose ultimate completion is the transformation and restoration of all things. And I believe we are the conduit to usher that Kingdom into now.’ YOU have been the conduit in so many lives at Gateway. And, we have taken that with us into everyday life. My life has changed dramatically since Freedom Ministry, & I want everyone to walk in the freedom I walk in daily…never in a million years, 4 years ago, could I ‘dream’ of truly being free. Now, where I sense bondage, I expect freedom to follow. Yea! Thanks for be faithful & obedient to God’s calling on your life.
(that’s you in Hong Kong, isn’t it? Cool!)
Lots of Godly dreams at night and lots in the day. About two week ago, Freedom Ministries help break my painting block. I am very thankful I am painting again. Thanks for all you do for Freedom Ministries.