New Life for Dreams

My workout and activity yesterday may have taken more out of me than I realized. I took advantage of some times of rest today that have not been part of my schedule the past few days. David Hills and his dad Harlan came and helped with removing snow from our driveway and sidewalks. I was able to remove most of the ornaments from the Christmas tree as we “undecorate” for the season and get ready for the New Year.

For me the changes in the last year have been more pronounced than anytime I can remember in many years. As I have worked back from total paralysis and dependence for everything, being able to do what I am at this point is significant. I am looking forward to the progress in store for the coming year. The picture for today shows at least part of our family is ready for the New Year, but they will experience it two hours before we do here in Colorado.

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY….  “…  the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones…. there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.” Ezekiel 37:2-4

Often our dreams are like Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones; “many and dry”.  The situation would have looked gruesome and hopeless. And like Ezekiel of old, we aren’t sure if life is possible to come once again  to our future to our hopes.

So for life to come to dreams once again, we need to deal with doubt. As I was reading the final chapter of “The Book of God” it describes in a way that had not impacted me before about the doubt and confusion experienced by all the disciples. Thomas gets singled out because he was absent during Jesus initial appearance, but they were all “doubters” from the time they heard the initial reports until Jesus verified it with His presence.

Jesus does “give us the freedom to doubt.” He understands us, our pain and our fears. Joesph in the old testament and Joesph in the New Testament would have experienced doubt as the Lord fulfilled His plan for their life. Doubt is the not the absence of faith it is part of the process of strengthening our faith. Jesus confronted Thomas with a revelation of Himself and that is what in different ways today Jesus does for us. He then challenges us to “stop doubting and start believing…” Doubt is compatible with faith, but faith is the pathway to blessing. “Blessed is he who believes…” Jesus said.

New life for dreams comes when we begin to recognize God’s presence in our daily lives. It was the Spirit of God that moved over the valley of dry bones to bring them to life, and it is God’s presence moving in our life that brings new life to our dreams. As you move through your life can you “spy God at work?” Like the prophet Isaiah it may not be in the “wind and earthquake” experiences of life. It may be the “quiet whisper.”

Some are quick to dismiss “God sightings” as just coincidences. However I like the observation of person who said, “the more I pray and trust the Lord, the more those “coincidences” happen.” Look for God’s work and provision in your life and allow that to encourage you of His presence and care. Remember the simple encouragement of scripture, “…He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

To the doubting the presence of the living Lords says, “is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27) In the coming year, your dreams can live again! I am ready, are you?