God-Sized Visions

            What do Noah, Joseph and Mary, the mother of Jesus, have in common besides the fact they are all in the Bible? Answer: they were given God-sized visions of their future, all extremely far-fetched, and if they shared their news with casual observers. people might think counseling would be in order for the trio.  God also gave all three a long waiting period before their dreams or visions came to fruition.

                 Noah was told by God to build an ark because the earth was wicked and the Lord  planned to destroy the world with a flood.  Rain would fall for 40 days and 40 nights, wiping out humanity. The only problem was, it hadn’t ever rained before.  It took almost 100 years for Noah to complete the ark.  That’s a LONG waiting period and I can hear the jeers from the passerbys who probably thought Noah had spent too much time in the sun. But Noah didn’t question God asking, “What is rain?” or “Why is this taking so long?” The Bible says that Noah did everything just as God commanded him. (Genesis 6:22) No questions asked, as he went about the business of boat building.

                Joseph had a couple of dreams that predicted he would one day rule over his brothers. In the first dream he told his brothers, We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it. (Genesis 37:7) In the second dream Joseph delivered another unpopular message to his siblings saying the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to him. Joseph’s brothers had just about enough, so they sold him off into Egyptian slavery and the dreams were looking doubtful. But you know the rest of the story. Despite a lengthy prison stay, Joseph’s dreams came true. He ended up second in command in Egypt and eventually his brothers did bow down to him. Do you think Joseph ever doubted his dreams while he was serving Potiphar in his household or wrongly imprisoned?

                Mary was informed by Gabriel that she would give birth to the son of God, Jesus. She only asked one question, How will this be since I am a virgin? Gabriel explained and her reply was accepting: I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled. (Luke 1:38) Mary probably wondered when Jesus would show signs he was the son of God.  Once again there was a waiting period.  We don’t hear anything about the first twelve years of Jesus’ life probably because he was like any other baby or child. Do you think she questioned Gabriel’s message when she bathed Jesus like any other baby or when Jesus skinned his knee and ran into the house for some sympathy?

                Has God ever given you a dream that you know is from him but it just isn’t happening in your timing? I heard a pastor the other day who said if you are in God’s will daily and he gives you a vision of the future, BELIEVE IT! I personally believe God will give you a couple of other people who latch onto the vision with you, but overall you can’t worry about what others think.  You should respond favorably to God and trust him. It just may not be in your timing.

                I waited ten years from the time God called me to be a Christian motivational speaker until the Pearls of Promise ministry started to take off. The wait was 98 long years for Noah. It was thirteen years after Joseph’s dream before he rose to power in Egypt. Twenty-two years before he saw his brothers again.   Mary waited over thirty years before she saw Jesus begin his ministry.  However, each of these pillars of faith believed the original message from God and they trusted God despite their circumstances.

                What God inspired dream have you been given? How long are you willing to wait on it?