Mark’s series on Joseph’s dreams have been focussing on how the dreams God gives us sometimes seem to take strange paths towards fulfilment. Joseph ended up sold as a slave… working in Egypt… thrown into prison. All these things must have seemed utterly confusing to him (especially considering he had not encouraged Potiphar’s wife at all!), but in actual fact, God was still on the throne and was, even in these dark moments (which lasted considerably longer than moments!), working all things out according to His perfect plans. Casting Crowns’ song ‘Just Be Held‘ takes up this theme:
‘Hold it all together
Everybody needs you strong
But life hits you out of nowhere
And barely leaves you holding on/
And when you’re tired of fighting,
Chained by your control
There’s freedom in surrender
Lay it down and let it go.
So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away
You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held
Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place.
I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held
Just be held, just be held
If your eyes are on the storm,
You’ll wonder if I love you still,
But if your eyes are on the cross
You’ll know I always have and I always will.
And not a tear is wasted
In time, you’ll understand
I’m painting beauty with the ashes
Your life is in My hands
Lift your hands, lift your eyes:
In the storm is where you’ll find Me
And where you are, I’ll hold your heart
I’ll hold your heart
Come to Me, find your rest
In the arms of the God who won’t let go.’ (‘Just Be Held’, Casting Crowns)
The other aspect of dreams which we often fail to understand is how God actually plants these dreams within our hearts. He sows the seeds for these dreams and waters these over the years. Another song on the ‘Thrive’ album which looks at this idea is called ‘Dream For You.’ This looks at the stories of David and Mary and shows how the dreams either of these characters might have had were as nothing compared to the dreams God had for them. We need to understand that God can do so much more than all we ask or imagine!
‘Hey, David, I hear you’ve been dreaming
About being a big time shepherd some day.
You’re gonna prove your brothers wrong;
You’re gonna sing your shepherd song
To the cattle on a thousand hills
But I’ve been thinking
I’m having trouble with a giant down the road
You’re the one who’s going to face him toe to toe.
Wipe that grin right off his face
And whip this army into shape
I’m going to turn the nation back to Me
And David, you’re right about one thing
Your little shepherd songs are going to make the whole world sing
And I’m gonna make you king.
So come on, let Me dream, let Me dream for you
I am strong when you’re weak and I’ll carry you
So let go of your plan, be caught by My hand
I’ll show you what I can do
When I dream for you
I have a dream for you.
Hey Mary, I’ve heard you’ve been dreaming
Making plans for your big wedding day
You and Joseph are gonna be
The picture perfect family,
Maybe a couple of kids down the road
But I’ve been thinking.
Even before time began
I had a picture perfect plan
Of how to save this broken world
Through the life of just one man
I’m gonna send my only Son
And Mary, you’re the one
You were right about one thing
You’re gonna have that family
And you’re gonna raise a King
I’m stronger than you think I am
I’ll take you farther than you think you can
You sing and call me Great I Am
So take your stand
My child, if you only knew
All the plans that I have for you
Just trust me, I will follow through
You can follow Me.’ (‘Dream For You,’ Casting Crowns)