Does God Dream?

Do you dream at night? I certainly do. Some nights are more vivid than others, but lately we haven't been getting enough sleep to have those sorts of physical dreams. In my sleepless, new baby haze, I think I often have more daydreams than sleep dreams. In my daydreams I am what I hope to be now, like well rested. I sometimes daydream about being on the beach or hiking in the mountains. Or, I have daydreams for what I hope my kids will grow up to be like, or family trips we will take together. Sometimes, I even daydream about what the church might be like five to ten years from now. How if we lean in, there are great opportunities all around us to be the body of Christ.

Honestly, though, I usually forget my daydreams and move back to the reality of meetings and deadlines. My imagination is finite and forgetful, and is grounded in things like realistic resources. But what about if God were to dream for our church? God, the omnipotent, all wise one who never forgets, and is beyond our limited mindset.

It's a funny thing to think about, but I bet God has dreams for Highland Hills. I don't think God's dreams are as grounded by paint color or building shape. But I bet God has dreams for how we might know him better, and dreams of bringing all his children into his love. I bet God has dreams that involve each of us saying yes to the invitation to be transformed. And I bet God's dreams involve Macon changing. In his appropriately titled book, God Has a Dream, Desmond Tutu writes, "Indeed, God is transforming the world now—through us—because God loves us so." Maybe God brings about his dreams for the world and for the church through each of us normal people.

What do you think God dreams about the future for our church?

What do you think he hopes for the future of Highland Hills?

This Lenten season, as we journey to Jesus and Easter, pray about God's dreams. Pray that we all might see God's dreams for our church. And unlike our own mortal failing, let us not forget these dreams!