Have you ever had a dream that almost escaped description? Perhaps it was so vivid and surreal, that it almost scared you? In Daniel 4 and Genesis 41, we read about two such dreams. The ancient dreamers had no idea what to do with these nocturnal visions, so they turned to interpreters to gain understanding.
Experiencing a connection between their inner and outer lives, our ancestors in faith tended to take their dreams seriously. As Western interest moved more to the outer world, the inner world was increasingly neglected and its prominent product—dreams—became “God’s forgotten language.”
This is no longer the case. Many today explore the mystical practices and traditions of Christianity and other religions. The inner life is back, and with it, a lively interest in dreams.
What dreams have you had recently? Have you given them much thought? Try keeping a journal near your bedside to record dreams when you wake. Who knows? You might just find out your dreams are trying to tell you something.
Today we observe Memorial Day—once called Decoration Day—a federal holiday in the U.S. to remember people who died while serving in this country’s armed forces. This message was adapted from “In Your Dreams” written by Stephen Martz that first appeared in the December 2008 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine. for articles about faith, action, comfort and community.