dreams versus vision

2 Cor 4:18 " while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things are not seen are eternal."

When we talk about things which cannot be seen, what comes to mind?

God? Holy Spirit? Jesus?

Inner emotion?

Dreams?

Vision?

I used to think visions and dreams were similar in one another, but yet I realise now that they can be so different. My dad used to quote one of his all time famous sayings (only known between me and my sister and a couple of cousins) " Dreams are for free." And we would DREAD the long speeches he would give. The fact that he used to take religious studies in O levels dosent entirely mean this is totally spiritual from the black book we read daily. But yet, it brings an important truth and fertilizer for our ground (heart). It dosent hurt to dream about the future, it dosent hurt to explore areas where your heart desires. In fact, dreams allow us to break barriers of reality.

Vision, however, takes dreams to a much deeper level. Visions take you somewhere. They take you to be who God wants you to be. They give you a gauge on where you're heading, a purpose, a destination. Visions are REAL! You may not be there yet, but you are on your way to getting there. Vision syches yourself up for the things to come. Vision confirms that you are a child of God and you are about your Father's business. One thing I love about vision is that, it is more often than not, within your capacity.

The Bible says, let the young man see vision and the old man dream dreams. Here, we can see the emphasis God places on the youth. The youth of today complain about relationships, exam stress, parents, money, gossip, entertainment. In reference to Xinhong's blog about teenage angst, I totally stand by his statement that there is no such thing as teenage angst. What youths need today are mentors whom they can look up to, to see as a role model that they are ABLE to succeed in life. That in life, nothing is impossible. It dosent take only a pep talk from a person who came out from rags to riches to change a life. To nurture is a process and the youth has to want it so bad for himself/herself.

Youths of today are volatile to the influences around them. They want to be "cool" and "accepted" in their community. They will feel pressured when people around them do well while they are not. In the long run, if things do not improve, they will have a negative insight on life and think that this is ALL life has to offer. As a youth, I used to ask my friends "hows life?" and the most common reply was "Life sux." or sucks. or various permuatations and combinations of it. Thats because they have not seen the light in the midst of darkness. Darkness exists, because there is no light. Light and darkness cannot co-exist!

Light brings victory of darkness.
Light brings vision.
Light brings warmth.
Light brings security.
Light draws people.
Light allows you to stand out from the crowd.

More often than ever, we pray for ourselves individually, the cellgroup, the church, the body of Christ, to shine for the Lord in the market place. It is not wrong to pray for people to be drawn to you. In fact, by default, people should be drawn to you in the first place simply by the fact that Christ is in you. It is a great thing to be involved with the youth. Embrace it.

In youths, we see our future.
In youths, we see a potential for them to do supercede us.
In youths, we see radical-ness.
In youths, they are our only hope.

For us, our time is now.

Sigh I am getting old.