Scripture:"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11
1.Desire vs. Directive: Dreams are what we want, callings are what God asks.
2. Changeable vs. Eternal: Dreams shift, callings are rooted in God's plan.
3. Selfish vs. Selfless: Dreams focus on self, callings serve others and God's kingdom.
4. Fleeting vs. Enduring: Dreams fade, callings are a lifelong journey.
5. Satisfaction vs. Fulfillment: Dreams bring temporary joy, callings bring deep purpose.
Action Step: Seek God's guidance through prayer and reflection.
Prayer: Lord, reveal Your purpose for my life. Help me discern between my dreams and Your calling. Guide my steps, and give me courage to follow Your will. Amen.
My story
Frank, a man weathered by years of hard work and honest living, sat on his porch swing, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The sky blazed with colors, a breathtaking spectacle that reminded him of the beauty he'd always taken for granted. He closed his eyes, a familiar ache in his chest. It was the dream.
The dream was a small, quiet bookstore nestled in a cozy corner of town. A place where the aroma of old paper and fresh ink would mingle, where people could find solace and adventure in the pages of a book. It was a dream he’d held since childhood, a passion that had simmered beneath the surface of his life, a quiet longing he'd always kept to himself.
Frank had worked diligently as a carpenter, providing for his family, building homes for others, and contributing to the community. But the dream, the bookstore, was a constant whisper in his heart, a yearning that never quite faded.
Then one evening, as he sat in his usual pew at church, the pastor's sermon struck a chord. The pastor spoke about the difference between a dream and a calling. He spoke of dreams as desires, aspirations, a personal vision. But a calling, he said, was something different. A calling wasn't something you chose, it was something that chose you. It was a purpose, a mission, a divine spark that ignited a fire within you, urging you to step out and serve a higher purpose.
Frank sat there, listening intently, his mind racing. Was his dream just a personal desire, a fleeting fancy? Or was it something deeper, something meant for him?
The words of the sermon lingered in his mind as he walked home that night. He looked around at the familiar streets, the faces of his neighbors, the quiet beauty of his town. He realized that his dream wasn't just about books, it was about creating a space for community, a place where people could connect, share stories, and find inspiration.
His dream wasn't just a selfish desire. It was a way to serve others, to nurture a love for reading, to share a piece of himself with the world. It was a calling.
The next morning, Frank woke with a renewed sense of purpose. He spoke to his wife, sharing his dream and his newfound conviction. She, always supportive, offered her encouragement and a helping hand.
Together, they started making plans. They found a small, vacant building downtown and with the help of his carpentry skills, Frank began the transformation. The community rallied around them, offering support, donations, and their own dreams of a bookstore.
A year later, the bookstore opened its doors. It was a place of light and laughter, the scent of paper and ink, and the whispers of untold stories. Frank, filled with a deep sense of fulfillment, found his life enriched by his calling, by serving others, by sharing his passion, and by turning his dream into a reality. He knew that he wasn't just selling books, he was building bridges, fostering connections, and making a difference in his community, one book at a time.
Frank's story is a testament to the fact that sometimes, dreams are more than just personal desires. They can be a spark of divine inspiration, a calling to serve, a way to use our gifts to make the world a better place. And that, he realized, was a far greater blessing than any dream he could have imagined.
Go deeper
To understand the difference between a dream and a calling from a biblical perspective, we need to delve into the scriptural context and the original languages used in the Bible.
Dream (Hebrew: חֲלוֹם, "chalom")
1. Biblical Context:
Dreams in the Bible often serve as a means of divine communication. For example, Joseph's dreams in Genesis 37:5-11 and Pharaoh's dreams in Genesis 41:1-7 are instances where God conveyed important messages through dreams.
Dreams can be symbolic and require interpretation, as seen in the case of Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar's dreams (Daniel 2:1-45).
2. Theological Explanation:
Dreams can be a way for God to reveal His will, provide guidance, or foretell future events. They are often personal and specific to the individual receiving them.
Not all dreams are from God; some can be a result of natural human processes or even deceptive influences (Ecclesiastes 5:3, Jeremiah 23:25-32).
3. Etymology:
The Hebrew word "chalom" means "dream" and is used throughout the Old Testament to describe both ordinary dreams and those with divine significance.
Calling (Greek: κλῆσις, "klēsis")
1. Biblical Context:
A calling in the New Testament often refers to God's invitation to individuals to follow Him and fulfill a specific purpose. For example, the calling of the disciples (Matthew 4:18-22) and Paul's calling to be an apostle (Romans 1:1).
It can also refer to the general call to salvation and holiness (Ephesians 4:1, 2 Timothy 1:9).
2. Theological Explanation:
A calling is a divine summons to a particular role, mission, or way of life. It is often accompanied by a sense of purpose and direction from God.
Callings can be specific (e.g., a call to ministry) or general (e.g., a call to live a holy life).
3. Etymology:
The Greek word "klēsis" means "calling" or "invitation" and is used in the New Testament to describe both the general call to follow Christ and specific vocational callings.
Examples for Deeper Understanding:
Dream:
Joseph's Dream (Genesis 37:5-11): Joseph dreams of sheaves of grain and celestial bodies bowing to him, symbolizing his future rise to power and his family's eventual submission. This dream was prophetic and required interpretation.
Pharaoh's Dream (Genesis 41:1-7): Pharaoh dreams of seven fat cows and seven lean cows, which Joseph interprets as seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. This dream had a direct impact on the future of Egypt and required divine interpretation.
Calling:
Moses' Calling (Exodus 3:1-10): God calls Moses from the burning bush to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. This calling was specific and came with a clear mission and purpose.
Paul's Calling (Acts 9:1-19): Paul is called by Jesus on the road to Damascus to be an apostle to the Gentiles. This calling transformed his life and directed his ministry.
Conclusion:
In summary, a dream in the biblical sense is often a means of divine communication that can be symbolic and require interpretation. A calling, on the other hand, is a divine summons to a specific role or mission, often accompanied by a clear sense of purpose and direction. Both dreams and callings are ways in which God interacts with individuals, but they serve different functions within the biblical narrative.
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