I have a dream...

You mention the word "vision" in most settings and you won't get much of a reaction. In fact, the word carries a positive feel. Everyone loves to follow a leader who has vision. We love to read or hear the stories of visionary leaders from history who changed the status quo by their willingness to share a vision. But you mention the word "vision" in a lot of church settings and you get an uncomfortable look from most. It's most often associated with fringe churches or over the top leaders (most of which follow the word "vision" with the phrase "pull out your checkbook").

But vision is very much a part of who we are to be in Christ. The Scriptures talk about the importance of vision.

Where there is no revelation (vision), the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law. Proverbs 29:18 NIV

It's important, as Christ followers, that we have visions or dreams. They can range from individual achievement (a vision for how you want to live your life) to your family (how you want to raise your children); from your career (where you want to be five years from now) to your country (Martin Luther King had a dream that has left an awesome impact on our nation). Dreams and visions are essential to who we are. But here is the catch: a dream that doesn't line up with God's purpose leads to chaos. In fact, it's a practice in frustration. Your dreams for your life and those of your family rest in the hands of an all-knowing and infinitely compassionate God. He alone knows what is best for you. So it's always best when our dreams for our lives are aligned with His.

No one can doubt the power of what Dr. King "dreamed" that day on the mall in Washington, D.C. The dream of white children and black children standing together regardless of the color of their skin. It was a dream birthed in the heart of God and lived out through one, very powerful life.

Your dreams and visions can be equally powerful. But they must be first found in the heart of God. To find what's in the heart of God, you and I must seek to know the heart of God. That begins with searching His Word and talking with Him daily (dare I say minute-by-minute?)

Our society is in desperate need of more people to stand before the world and say, "I have a dream..."

Here's to seeking the heart of God...and being willing to dream the God-sized dreams He has for all of us.