It’s Time to Dream Again

In the ebb and flow of life, we often find ourselves in seasons where mere survival feels like a victory. Just getting through another day, another week, becomes our sole focus. These periods of perseverance are not just normal; they're essential for our spiritual growth. As James 1:2-4 reminds us, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

But what happens when that season of struggle begins to shift? When the air around us starts to feel different, and we sense a stirring in our spirits? It might just be time to dream again.

The book of Ecclesiastes wisely tells us that "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." This profound truth reminds us that life is cyclical, with periods of planting and uprooting, weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing. And just as surely as there are times of perseverance, there are also times to lift our eyes and envision what could be.

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, many of us might be feeling a gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit, inviting us to dream once more. To imagine what our faith communities could become, to envision the type of disciples we want to be in our current cultural landscape. It's an exciting prospect, but one that comes with its own set of challenges.

When we begin to dream in accordance with God's will, we often face resistance from the enemy of our souls. We see this pattern throughout Scripture, perhaps most vividly in the life of Joseph. God gave Joseph incredible dreams, but at every turn, he faced obstacles and had to wait patiently, walking in obedience before seeing the fulfillment of those divine visions.

In our current cultural moment, we face numerous challenges that can hinder our ability to dream and grow spiritually:

Rampant Individualism

Ideological Idolatry

The Abandonment of Moral Truth

Outrage and Fear

Political Polarization

Greed and Selfishness

Hustle Culture

Despair and Brokenness

These cultural shifts might seem daunting, but what if we viewed them not as threats, but as opportunities? What if this could be our finest moment as followers of Christ? Instead of responding with anxiety and fear, we could embrace this as a catalyst for spiritual renewal and growth.

To seize this moment and walk in obedience to the dreams God is giving us, we need to band together through what's known as a "rule of life." Don't let the word "rule" intimidate you – it's not about a list of dos and don't s. Rather, a rule of life is a schedule and set of practices and relational rhythms that create space for us to abide in Christ, to become like Him, and to do what He would do if He were in our shoes.

Andy Crouch beautifully defines a rule of life as "a set of practices to guard our habits and guide our lives." It's about following Jesus together, not just attending services sporadically, but truly committing to a shared journey of discipleship.

So how do we move from crisis and survival to a new kind of normal through apprenticeship to Jesus? How do we reconnect with the Spirit's invitation in our hearts to abide?

First, we need a radical recommitment to Jesus as Lord. It's not enough to see Jesus as our Savior, our ticket to heaven. We must surrender to Him as the King of all creation and the one in charge of our lives. This means giving up any attempts to become a "insert adjective" Christian – any effort to mix worldly values with the way of Jesus. Instead, we offer all that we are to Him.

Second, we need a radical recommitment to the way of Jesus. This isn't just about how we die, but how we live. The old, casual approach to faith – showing up to church occasionally, getting most of our spiritual input from social media – simply won't suffice in today's world. We need to build something stronger than the cultural currents swirling around us.

Consider the example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer during Nazi Germany. When questioned about his decision to start a seminary training illegal pastors, Bonhoeffer took a friend to a hilltop overlooking both his seminary and a Nazi youth training camp. Pointing to his seminary, he said, "This must be stronger than that." Our faith communities, our way of life together, our apprenticeship to Jesus must be stronger than the world around us.

As we stand at this crossroads, let's take a moment to breathe deeply and pray the words of Psalm 80:19: "Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved." We're asking God to do it again – to pour out His Spirit on us anew, to revive us so that we may call on His name.

This is our moment to dream again, to envision a future where our faith is vibrant, transformative, and deeply rooted in the way of Jesus. It won't be easy, and we'll face resistance, but together, guided by the Holy Spirit and committed to a shared rule of life, we can become the kind of disciples who truly reflect Christ to a world in desperate need of His love and truth.

So, as we step into this new season, let's dare to dream. Let's imagine what God could do through us if we fully surrendered to His lordship and committed wholeheartedly to His way. The time for mere survival is past – now is the time to thrive, to grow, and to dream again.