Key Verse:
Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
(Colossians 4:5-6, NKJV)
Devotion:
As a child I dreamed of becoming a writer, but words can serve as a double-edged sword. They can take a dream to the next level, or they can crush a dreamer’s heart. We have all experienced it and we have all been guilty in some way. We should be encouraging one another, but sometimes we get caught up in our own negativity like the teacher I spoke about a couple weeks ago, who did not see the relevance in having her students experience a filibuster in action.
There were other dreams I had as a child, dreams that I would do big things someday, dreams of having my own family, of breaking the cycle of poverty over my life, of affecting change. Some dreams have come to fruition, but not in the way I imagined; some are a work in progress, some have been released with acceptance, some have been forgotten or stifled by the world’s cruelty.
The perspective of a child is often innocent and full of wonder, but disappointment and pain can imprint scars not easily undone. “Parents, don’t provoke your children in a way that ends up discouraging them,” (Colossians 3:21, CEB). The Word tells us to treat others as we want to be treated, to be gentle and kind and gracious toward one another for a simple word can crush a dream (Eph 4:32, Luke 6:31). But we also must be careful not to feed a dream that does not come from the Lord.
We live in a divisive world with much confusion; not every desire comes from God. “For in the multitude of dreams and many words there is also vanity. But fear God,” (Ecclesiastes 5:7, NKJV). Often these fleshly desires crush God-given dreams. In both Matthew 6 and Luke 16 we read that we cannot serve two masters. James admonishes his listeners, “You unfaithful people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy,” (4:4, CEB).
Engage:
So, what then? We must walk in the wisdom of God in the Spirit of love and truth. If you have God-given dreams being crushed by someone’s worldly desires, know that you are not alone.
Pray:
Abba,
Thank you that you are not a dream crusher, but the Giver of dreams. Guide me into discernment and help me to be an encourager to others. Let all I do and say bring You praise; bring comfort and encouragement for those dreams that feel crushed and stifled. In Jesus name! Amen!