September 2012, "Don't Be Afraid to Dream"

"Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other.  "Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him.  Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.”  (Genesis 37:19-20)

So many of us who live a “dream life” are often the same people who were once laughed at for having a dream.

This verse tells us how Joseph’s brothers felt about him for having a dream.  They mocked him and later despised him for being a dreamer.  It seemed at first that his dreams would be cut short but God had the final say. 

If you’re familiar with Joseph’s story, you know that his brothers sold him into slavery.  But, that wasn’t the end of the road for Joseph.  Even though he had a number of unfortunate events he was not kept from reaching his destiny.  Joseph’s dreams came true in the end. 

If you’re a dreamer, the reality is that not everyone is going to support your dreams.  Your dreams may be scoffed at or even laughed at.  If you’re like Joseph, you may be even hated.  The important thing is that you hold fast to your dreams and trust God for the outcome.

Gil Parker had a dream of creating a haven for children and youth to come to and enjoy themselves in a Christian atmosphere.  Yes, there were those that laughed at him and scoffed at him but he followed his dream.  In 1989, God placed Gil’s dream on my heart and my family and I picked up our stakes in Georgia and moved to Wellsville.  Gil handed the baton over to me.  I gladly accepted the challenge and followed in the footsteps of Gil’s dream.  I too was laughed at and made fun of, but that’s okay.  I have experienced, first hand, the blessings of following God. 

If God has placed a dream in your heart,  go after it.  Don’t let the opinions of others shape your future.  Focus on God’s promises and block out the scoffers.  If God has truly given you a dream you can rest assured that nothing can stop it from coming to life. 

Thank you for being a part of Gil’s God-inspired dream and don’t forget--

God Loves You and We Do Too!
Ken