"Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more" (Genesis 37:5).

There's nothing more perplexing than a young dreamer. Unproven and untested, it's easy for others to rush to conclusions. "He has no idea ... Wait until he gets out into the 'real world' ... Who does he think he is? ... We've already tried that before ... That will never work ... Blah, blah, blah."

As pastors, we often find ourselves as the visionaries; but we also may have young men and women around us that we see in this light.

History's Testimony

The history of revival has been driven by young dreamers—men and women who dared to believe that life can be different, that institutions can change, that things can improve, that there is a better way, that God is big enough to bring about a national spiritual awakening. Evan Roberts and Seth Joshua, two zealous Bible college students, dared to believe that God could save 100,000 people in one year ... and He did.

There will always be scoffers, sometimes in your own family. You may be one whose dreams were squelched by a parent or other authority who never saw beyond what was to what could be.

There is phenomenal value in the wisdom and caution of godly mentors; but when young dreamers challenge the status quo, they are sometimes met by fear—the fear of change. They may also run into a little unspoken resentment because those above them, having never seen their own dreams fulfilled, are silently discouraged and maybe even bitter.

Divine Reality

Joseph had a dream which sounded really crazy. It made no sense. Joseph's brothers hated him for it, and his father gently rebuked him, but this dream was from God. In fact, it resulted in Joseph being used to save most of the known world, including his own scoffing family.

Although his brothers did their best to quiet the dreamer, Joseph tenaciously, graciously, and faithfully responded to the big God who had planted this vision in his heart.

Our Response

If you're a young dreamer, understand the caution of your elders. Listen carefully, sift through it for the kernels of truth that are there, and be patient. If your dream is from God, it will eventually be fulfilled if you faithfully follow Him and never stop believing in His limitless power.

If you are around a young dreamer, keep your mouth closed a little more. Be cautious with quick conclusions and sharp reproof. How many men and women could have been mightily used if only someone had encouraged them to attempt the impossible by faith! If only someone had believed in them, understanding that God loves to use young Davids to slay big Goliaths in ways that give God all the glory.

Look around you today and find the young dreamers. Mentor them and caution them, but do not dampen their wildly courageous dreams. Who knows? They just may be from God Himself!