I am speaking this afternoon to about a dozen young discipleship interns at the Officer’s Christian Fellowship White Sulphur Springs Retreat Center near Bedford, Pennsylvania. We’re going to talk about dreaming with reality.
I believe young people just want to hear from God. They don’t necessarily want to know all of the answers. I believe they just want to know He’s there. Well, He is.
More likely than not, young people are being told what to dream rather than how to dream. Their peers are telling them they should dream about looking like that person in the teen magazine. Their college professor is telling them they have to dream for other life goals and put away their “draconian religious beliefs.” I would assert that the dreams others may have for young people could be one reason why so many leave their faith behind when they leave home for college.
And yet, if they were taught how to dream for themselves, they would find this very freeing and, in realizing their dreams, solidify their faith. They might be alerted to, and keep at arm’s length, the dreams others may have for them. I have seen how our own dreams are realized more often and more quickly than those that others may have for us. Don’t you think that’s what the young people you know really want? Isn’t that what you want?
When I talk to my adult undergrads in class about teaching their children how to dream, many of them ask me, “What about me?” Well, you could enroll in the Reality Dreaming course on this website by clicking here. And, I’ll see you on-line.
And, if you’ve never been to one of Officer Christian Fellowship’s retreat centers, find out about them at www.ocfusa.org. Have a great week everybody. I am out and about today pursuing my dreams.