Dream Detours

On Monday morning, Pastor Jim's secretary interrupted him stating that Mrs. Miller was in the outer office asking to speak with him.  Mrs. Miller was 85 years old and a long-standing member of the congregation.  Not knowing what she could have wanted, Pastor Jim invited her in. After the normal pleasant greetings, the purpose of her visit was revealed.  It concerned the visiting Bible college group that presented a Sunday evening concert.  Pastor Jim prepared himself for what he thought was going to be an expression of concern as to the group's ministry.  Pastor Jim pastored a very traditional worshipping congregation.  You might say an organ, piano, and hymns only church.  This college group he allowed to minister had, to some, the unpardonable instruments for worship--drums and guitars.

However, what he expected took a surprising twist.  As Mrs. Miller continued, she asked, "Is the group that shared last night already gone?"  Pastor Jim replied, "No they have a day off and are not leaving here until later today."  She replied,  "I saw their instruments still set up in the sanctuary.  Do you think they would mind if I played on the drums some?"  Trying to keep the surprise off his face, Pastor Jim had to inquire as to why she wanted to play the drums.

Mrs. Miller replied,  "Ever since I was a child, I've had a dream to play the drums.  However, growing up in a very conservative home and church, playing the drums was frowned upon, especially being a girl.  My parents would have no part of it."  Pastor Jim smiled and said, " I don't think they would mind at all.  You go right ahead."  Pastor Jim remarked that her beat wasn't very good, but her joy was evident.

One of the greatest tragedies in life is an unfilled dream.  All of us have dreamed to be or do something significant in life.  Sad to say for many people, time and other life choices have caused them to stop dreaming.  Genesis 37 begins the story of Joseph.  Joseph was a great dreamer.  His dreams of ruling over his family one day caused him great suffering.  The jealousy that erupted within his brothers caused them to scheme his death while they sold him into slavery.  This began a great detour that seemed to take Joseph away from his earlier dreams. 

Dream detours sometimes happen.  If we look in the life of Joseph, we realize that some dream detours are God planned.  It isn't until Genesis 50 that we realize Joseph realized he had been on a sovereign detour to his dream. 

This week we will be looking at how to stand with conviction by not letting your dreams be hindered from coming true.  We will explore sovereign detours and how God uses them to get us to our dreams.

See you Sunday,
Pastor Jeff