Dreaming
Read Matthew 2:12-23
Joseph and Mary were approaching marriage and probably wanted it to be perfect.
The Angel appeared to Mary in a dream, telling her she would be pregnant with God's child, so much for the 'perfect' wedding!
Joseph then had the struggle of what to do, and then decided not to put her away. By law at that time, it would be legal to put her away, wherein she would be cast from society and possibly even stoned to death, legally. His decision was honoring to her and to his trust in God.
So, the 'perfect' wedding was interrupted by God - how many times have OUR perfect plans been interrupted by God?
Remember, righteous means doing the right thing.
How many of us would have made the choices that Mary and Joseph did?
Then they didn't name the baby with a family name, as tradition dictated. They did as God instructed and named him Jesus....
Joseph could have run or become proud, but he didn't. How many of US could have raised God's own child?
What kind of faith would it take to BELIEVE the Angel, the dreams and to wait on another dream for further instructions?
Dream sleep is called REM sleep - our deepest sleep, the sleep cycle is not complete if we don't dream. 1/3 of our life is unaccounted for - that is when we are sleeping!
Our brains keep our bodies safe while we have our dreams. Sleep rejuvenates our immune system; we need a good night's sleep to function.
Matthew was a dreamer. Joseph was a dreamer and knew his dreams were divinely inspired.
How many of us would believe our dreams enough to get up and go to another country?
Divine Guidance only comes to prepared hearts - is your heart prepared to receive God's guidance?
When we are asleep, our defenses are down - opening a pathway for God to speak to us.
Before you go to bed, open a new channel, ask God to talk to you while you sleep.
He will not abandon you, nor take you anywhere you're not ready to go. It's a gift when God talks to you in your dreams, not an achievement.
Start dreaming dreams - it won't be: self-serving, self-congratulatory, or self-glorifying. Divine dreams can consume our whole life.
Joseph never questioned God - when God spoke, He obeyed.
We need to listen to God - to dream of peace on Earth, of loving one other.
We could end up in places we never dream we would go....you can't dream that same dream once you meet that baby in the manger!!
You have to dream a different dream.
Where are YOU willing to go?
What are you willing to leave behind??
