Acts 2:17-18 (CEB)

17 In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
    Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
    Your young will see visions.
    Your elders will dream dreams.
18     Even upon my servants, men and women,
        I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
        and they will prophesy.


Reflection

From a very young age, we’re asked about our dreams. They tend to start with questions like, “What do you dream of being when you grow up?” For the record, my answers went as follows: ballerina, fashion designer, actress, pastor. Weird mix of eclectic artistry. But basically from the time we can talk, we are asked to look deep inside of ourselves and find hope for something bigger, different, extraordinary: a Spirit living inside of ourselves that wants to remind each of us that who we are is important.

In adulthood though, questions like that are more met with, “Just trying to make it until Friday, am I right?” Until eventually, questions about our dreams just stop being asked, as if there is an age-limit to dreaming. As if it not being a dream about a flashy career or starting a family means there’s no point in mentioning it. How far from the truth can this be from what God wants from us?

In today’s text, it is mentioned that as God pours the Holy Spirit on and through us, “elders will dream dreams”. Dreams are living hope, and to have hope is to have faith. As we age, our dreams can become intimately personal and difficult to share, maybe even difficult to identify.

Being a better partner or spouse than we were the day before.

Finally embodying forgiveness to be freed from ongoing guilt.

Wanting to make each day have real purpose.

Getting surprised by God again.

But truly living each day is be filled with hope and dreams. Perhaps my dream of being a ballerina may be gone, but my dream to be a better Christ follower surely is not.

By Rachel Callender


For Pondering & Prayer

What are your dreams? Is there a theme amongst your dreams? I invite you to find someone to share your list of dreams with. Allow yourself the vulnerability of sharing the hope for what’s next that is built up by your faith.

Prayer: God of Dreams, through your Holy Spirit we can dream! Young and old, we can dream of what our future may hold. Keep us from stifling your Spirit, from telling ourselves why our dreams are too big and too ridiculous. Allow us to dream without limits. Amen.