Life has a way of stealing, crushing and shrinking our dreams. There was a time when our dreams motivated us, stirred our hearts and fuelled passion in our souls. We were small, but our dreams were huge.
The writer of Psalm 126:1-6 reminds us that it is never too late to dream again. After a generation in captivity in Babylon, God set his people free. They were free to return home, and they were free to dream again. Not just set free but set free to dream.
A new season is a great opportunity to dream again, to rediscover old dreams and to ask God to give us new ones. When you consider God’s faithfulness, his trustworthy character, and his call to adventure, asking him to give us new dreams seems a small thing for his big heart. Be courageous and invite God to give you a renewed ability to dream again.
When was the last time you laughed at the ridiculous, scandalous and radical love of God expressed in Jesus Christ? Consider for a few moments the impact of your experience. Laughter and joy are a witness to the work of God in our lives. The psalmist makes this point with incredible, exaggerating language: the very nations will declare the goodness of God when they see your joy. (Psalm 126:2)
Brothers, imagine the impact we could make on our kids, our wives and our workmates if we began to discover the power of laughter and joy. If nations can be impacted by the joyful return of God’s people to Jerusalem, surely my emotional energy can impact my home. Maybe if we can tap into joy and begin to laugh again – if we can open our mouths and express ourselves in worship – just maybe our sons and daughters might declare, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
God takes his time to accomplish his work. It’s frustrating but true. As busy men, we sometimes wish he would pick up the pace! Then we remember how carefully, intentionally and graciously he is doing his transforming work in our lives, and we remember that his timing is perfect. He really understands his children.
The writer of Psalm 126 understood two things. He understood farming, and so he understood that timing is everything. Preparing, planting, caring, watching and reaping – everything has a season.
But the writer also understood that with God’s deep transforming work, a spiritual miracle is needed. If a farmer sows tears, then it would stand to reason that they would reap tears. As we work in partnership with God’s perfect timing, our reward is lasting change.
We might sow in tears, but at harvest time, the fruit of those tears will be revealed in powerful joy.
A prayer for us and our brothers:
God, you showed your faithfulness to your people, restoring them and giving them a new dream. In this new season in my life, I invite you to do this incredible work in my heart. Let me dream again. Release your great big dreams into my life today.
God, remind me today of your incredible saving work in my life. Let the power of your love overflow and overwhelm me. Fill my heart with joy and my mouth with praise, and help me to display my joy to my world.
God, I wait for you to do your powerful transforming work in my heart. I long to grow again. I hope for a new season, one where lasting change takes place in my life. Give me the patience to trust your timing and give me a commitment to your processes.
God of miracles, where I have sown tears, would you give me a harvest of dreams, laughter, joy and transformation.
Amen.
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