When Walls Surround Your Dream

–  –  –  –

Where Did it Go?

I searched the closet.

I checked my pant pocket.

Did the dryer eat it?

–

WHO STOLE MY DREAM?

Perhaps it’s just hiding behind the wall.

–

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THE OTHER MORNING, I grabbed a cup of tea and had a visit with Joshua, the guy who led Israel into the Promised Land. (Okay, I only read his story, but it felt like a real conversation as I asked questions.)

FIRST, HE ASKED: “Is your dream righteous or unrighteous?”

Meaning, is my dream self-serving and all about me? Or does it involve blessing others? Examples of “other-oriented” dreams: Go! Enter the Promised Land and bring salvation to all people. AND “Love God first, love people second“

SEARCHING MY MIND for an answer made me take an honest and transparent look at my heart.

5 THINGS JOSHUA TAUGHT ME ABOUT MY DREAMS & ASPIRATIONS

(Reading his Joshua 2 & 6 will give context).

1) FACING THE INVINCIBLE ENEMY 

J.A. Your God-given dream was to take the Promised Land, and Jericho was part of that Land. Yet the dimensions of the enemy’s walls blocking your dream were ridiculously large. How did you overcome?

Joshua: The enemy (obstacle) merely appears to stand solidly and unassailably between us and our righteous dream. God, in the Spirit, had already brought down the wall so we could walk right in. God’s words carried me through: “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2) MERCY PREVAILS OVER JUDGMENT

J.A.:  I wince at this thought. Did God really want all those people to die?

Joshua: He gave the people of Jericho a final 6-day countdown to repent as Rahab the harlot already had. In her heart, Rahab believed, and then she acted upon that belief by helping my spies. She chose life.

J.A.: So why didn’t her people repent?

Joshua: Pride? Idolatry? Love of sin? Fear? Judging human motivation is the Almighty’s department.

The people of Jericho had heard about the Jordan parting, they knew God was with Israel. When they saw this strangely small army marching circles around their ‘securely shut up’ fortress, they knew their options. They denied the truth, which deepened the deception in their hearts and blinded their eyes.

3) GOD’S PRESENCE IS SURE BUT HIS WAYS ARE INSCRUTABLE

J.A.: Why did the Ark of the Covenant stay in the midst of the soldiers marching around Jericho? Why didn’t God’s presence go before you as it had when you crossed the Jordan?

Joshua: It was as though God said, “I led you here, and you faithfully followed Me. Now we do this together.” His battle plan looked strange, but that’s how He rolls. He did the hard part. of course, but we did what we were gifted at doing.

J.A.: I wonder how many blessings I miss out on by trying to predict the unpredictable design of a supernatural lifestyle?

4) TAKE SKEPTICAL THOUGHTS CAPTIVE

J.A.: Why did you tell your people to “not let ONE word” come out of their mouths?

Joshua: We had a history of unbelief, as expressed by the grumbling and complaining, which would hinder our success. So I warned them not to speak until I gave the order to “Shout!”

J.A.: It’s hard not get discouraged and complain when I see how high and thick the walls are surrounding my Jericho/dream.

Joshua: That’s because your natural eyes view your Jericho as impenetrable and something too big for you to accomplish? Which it is. But with God, all things are possible.

5) DECLARATION IN FAITH!

J.A.: Not even a tiny pebble of the wall fell until you cried, “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city!” That’s scary.

Joshua: Yes, we made fools of ourselves while our enemy watched because it wasn’t about our glory, but about glorifying our Warrior King. God chooses the things that are powerless to shame the powerful. (1 Cor 1)

J.A.: I bet that victory cry was LOUD enough to shake the heavens. Thanks for helping me understand. We’ll talk in person after Yeshua returns.

FOR WITHOUT FAITH

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE

TO PLEASE HIM,

FOR HE WHO COMES TO GOD

MUST BELIEVE THAT HE IS,

AND THAT HE IS THE REWARDER

OF THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM

 (Hebrews 11:6)

♣

Thriving Faith of the Embattled Spirit