Those Who Dream

Psalm 126: A Song of Ascents

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,

we were like those who dreamed.

Our mouths were filled with laughter,

our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

"The Lord has done great things for them."

The Lord has done great things for us,

and we are filled with joy.

Restore our fortunes, Lord,

like streams in the Negev.

Those who sow with tears

will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping,

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,

carrying sheaves with them.

Do you dream often when you sleep? I've always been a very vivid dreamer when I sleep, often waking up with strange stories to tell Ethan at the breakfast table. But in my sharing of silly stories or dramatic dreams, I've found that not everyone dreams. Sleep is funny like that—some of us could sleep a long time and have vivid dreams, while others simply do not. This sleeping habit of dreaming has transliterated into my daytime, as I love daydreaming. I love envisioning the ways things might be or creating beauty in places where there is not. I love dreaming of ways to make things better, or more beautiful, or more fun. Simply, I love to dream.

In the lectionary this week, one of the passages is Psalm 126, a passage that references the good things God has done before and will do again. The people singing this Psalm describe themselves as those who dream. They are envisioning themselves experiencing good things and are surprised to find that God has done those good things for them. They are a people who are in the middle of struggles and suffering, but surprised to find that God has delivered them.

As they sing Psalm 126, these people remember all of the times God has provided before and will provide again. They sing, declaring that God has turned their tears to joy before, and are asking God to do it again.

I wonder, how many of us find ourselves in a season of life where we need to be like a people who dream? How many of us are going through uncertainty or stress and need to pause and remember other times that God has provided? The opportunity in Lent (and always) is to pause and name the gifts of God before and remember the ways God might answer our prayers yet.

In our staff meeting this week, we read through this Psalm three times, and after each time, we read through one of the questions below. If you find yourself longing to be someone who dreams, this is the prayer practice for you.

1. Have you ever experienced a moment of joy, when you feel as though God has answered your prayers? Name that time here:

2. What are you dreaming of these days? What are you hopeful for?

3. As you read through this passage a third time, consider how God has provided for you before, and what you are dreaming of, or hopeful for today. Offer your gratitude, hope, and stress to the Lord as a prayer.