When Your Dream is in God's Hands

This week's Torah portion, VaYeShev וַיֵּשֶׁב (And He Dwelt), based on Genesis 37:01-40:23, teaches us the ups and downs of life through the narrative of a young man's dream: Joseph. It is a well known narrative for which countless movies and retellings have emerged and been inspired on. As always, there are so many lessons we can gleam from this narrative. Adonai encouraged me to take a different approach. To speak to some young people in my own life and get their insights and inputs before sharing what He has placed in my heart to share. I drove this interview with the following questions: What are your dreams or expectations for your life? Followed by, what are your biggest fears as you prepare yourself to achieve them?

Their answers were more intuitive than I expected. They even rephrased my question by substituting the word "dream" with "goal". Afterall, goals can be controlled and manipulated, but dreams cannot. Goals are usually more grounded in reality and our boundaries, but dreams are not. Usually dreams are unachievable and countered by responses such as, "get your head out of the clouds and come back to earth." However, what I reminded them was the exact opposite, that we should dream and dreams are big and likely unattainable. I reminded them that God may even place those "dreams" in your heart to empower you to move towards a lofty goal. I even shared one of my dreams with them so they could understand that dreams are meant to be big. I told them that my current dream, though I am nearly 52 years old, is to finish my second book and first novel and that this book would reach millions of people. That I, a person of no known status, could reach millions of people with a message of hope. A message that will touch them and make a difference in their lives. It isn't a dream that was born out of selfishness or out of a desire to gain fame or riches, but it was born to overcome the boundaries that a lack of resources or opportunity forms. Something most people can understand and relate with.

As I had hoped, my initiative of sharing a grand desire, stimulated them to share their dream with me and perhaps even contemplate what their true dreams are. That is the first lesson from this week's Biblical narrative: God encourages us to dream, especially dreams that align with His will for our lives and for humanity. However, beware who you share your dreams with. Not everyone will be receptive to them and out of anger or resentment they may react in a negative way. Even attempt to tear down your dreams outright:

"Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more." & "His brothers said to him, 'Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?' So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words." Genesis 37:5 & 8

This seventeen year old's dream was likely shared in an immature fashion, and it was certainly ill received by his own family. So, my advice to all you young men and women out there, keep your dreams sheltered from jealous eyes. If God gives you a dream, a vision, a lofty goal in life, only share them with people who love you and will help you achieve that dream. Guard your heart (from being proud) and your tongue as you share this dream with others. Work diligently and constantly in the direction of that goal. Be practical and consistent as you move towards that goal on a daily basis. The best way to achieve a 10 thousand mile marathon is by taking one step at a time as often as you are permitted.

Dream, plan, think about your future. Just be sure to allow God to be part of that future... for your own benefit.

Both teenagers whom I spoke with shared the same fear: death. However, with further dialogue I was able to pin point their actual fear. It is a fear that is common amongst humanity. The fear of the unknown. One of them wisely said, "anything can happen at any given time that will not only derail your dreams, but may end your life." She is not wrong. We've talked about that in past weekly lessons. Specifically those that actually talk about death. A single event can completely change our lives and it can happen at any moment. For Joseph, this was that event:

"They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, 'Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.' But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, 'Let us not take his life.' And Reuben said to them, 'Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him'—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it." Genesis 37:18-24

Joseph had no idea how that trip to SheChem would completely change his life. An event that shaped the next 13 years of his life. These 13 years were dreadful and filled with injustices, but God was with him the entire time. Through his journey, Adonai guarded, blessed, and helped Joseph find favor in his surroundings. The events that compilated in him becoming Prime Minister of Egypt, the strongest nation on earth at that time. It would be equivalent to becoming Vice President of the United States today, although the title doesn't really give the individual much power today. I suppose being Prime Minister in England is a better example, since the Prime Minister has the real power in that type of government. A title that represents the Queen, but has more active power in passing laws and legislative rules that make an actual impact in the direction the nation takes. Point being, is that Joseph became the second most important person in the world by title, but the most important person in the world by power. It was a path no rational human being would have chosen, but a path that made the impossible dream become a reality:

"Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph's brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground." Genesis 42:6 (from next week's portion)

So, my lesson and encouragement to you is that after you dream, and dream big, then place that dream in God's hands. Do not allow fear of the unknown to keep you from dreaming. God will, through His power and sovereignty, make the dreams He placed in your heart come true. It may be a difficult road and a path you would never choose for yourself, but when He is in command, it will lead you to the outcome you desire.

Final words and thoughts: Dare to dream and dream big. Make sure your dreams align with God's will and desire for your life. Trust in God's ways to ensure your dream will come to pass. His dream for your life is even greater than your dream for yourself:

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

While you wait for those dreams to come true, do what He told Israel to do while in captivity (taking verse 11 into context):

"This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 'Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.'" Jeremiah 29:4-7

Even as you wait. Even if you are captives in a nation you didn't chose to live in. Even if you are punished for doing evil or for doing good (as it was in Joseph's case). Continue to live, build, labor, and improve your own lives as well as the lives of those around you. In the right time, God will move in your favor and make His dream for you become a reality. Shavuah Tov Ve'Shalom beloved of the LORD. Have a blessed week.

"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'" Isaiah 55:8-9