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Do My Desires and Dreams Matter?

Joseph, one of twelve sons and the favorite of his father, Jacob, received prophetic dreams from God that only He could prove true and good. Were it not for God’s provision, the dreams would have been too problematic, self-indulgent, and lofty and would have wound up in disaster.

This is a key difference between things we dream up in our own ambition and the plans God has for us: His plans will be perfect; our dreams will be flawed. Many times those flaws will be monumental because they always miss crucial information only God knows.

It is true as well that the plans we make are often filled with wonderful and hopeful projections of future jobs, relationships, and kingdom purpose. This can make them confusing to both outsiders and even ourselves at times because they can interconnect on a macro and micro level.

For instance, Joseph’s personal dreams were centered on and of great benefit to the larger plan in the kingdom of God. He was elevated to leadership in a position of influence and later helped deliver God’s people from famine.

But his personal goals were also beneficial, though in a far lesser way and certainly mixed with times of pain, to Joseph himself. He was respected, elevated, and personally revered. God watched over him and blessed him.

Many times, because we desire something personally that is also of great kingdom benefit, we mistakenly think it can’t also be “of God.” This is where we can go too far in overthinking the right motive. As you seek the Lord first in your life, the dreams you have will begin to align with His dreams for you.

We have His promise: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). So remember…

You aren’t alone with your dreams. God was in them before you.

You aren’t selfish for wanting to dream. God esteems dreams and is the ultimate dream-giver.

Your dreams matter. And so you must trust God with the dreams He puts in your heart.

Write a prayer to God about a dream you have, or ask Him for the desire to dream again.