Robert Edward Turner III, otherwise known as Ted Turner, an American entrepreneur, television producer, media proprietor, and philanthropist once remarked: “You should set goals beyond your reach so you always have something to live for.” Philippians 3:13-14 reminds us: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Goals are defined as the object of a person’s ambition or effort. They include not only the basic primary aims of an individual, but the desired end result. This is often combined with a distinctive definitive purpose in life. However, personal goals should never be achieved to the detriment of others. Acts 20:24 confirms: “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”
Some goals may seem difficult to achieve. Obstacles present themselves on the pathway to success and can, on occasions, appear insurmountable. But through prayer and the guidance unconditionally given by God, even the greatest barriers in life may be overcome. It should be remembered, however, that personal rewards for our achievements are solely at the pleasure of God, not our own. James 1:12 confirms: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
Mehmet Murat ildan, a contemporary Turkish play-write, novelist and thinker once remarked: “He who has no dreams, let him go to a beautiful forest to have many!” Genesis 1:29-30 reminds us: And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.
Forests and the immediate surrounding areas often provide surrealism of peace and tranquillity for many. They are places where meditative and imaginative thoughts may occur in abundance. Isaiah 44:23 confirms: “Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob, and will be glorified in Israel.”
Forests are considered by some to be the heart of nature. They often provide scenic beauty and stillness together with shelter and habitat for many animals and plants. Trees are usually the primary inhabitants of forests and vary in type according to the region in which they are located. However, they all perform one important purpose and that is to help provide and improve the quality of oxygen.
It has been noted by some that forests have often appeared in peoples’ dreams. It has been said that they represent and symbolize copiousness. They can be considered as mystical and mysterious in many ways and may conceal hidden depths and secrets to life in general. During the hours of darkness, a forest may, under certain circumstances, induce or assume an element of fear in a person which is difficult to understand or overcome.
A dream is primarily defined as a series of thoughts, images and sensations occurring in a person’s mind during sleep. They have been known to induce the original concept of a goal. A dream can incur hallucinations, fantasies, or possibly even, on occasions, become an unwanted nightmare. However, it may also appertain to a cherished aspiration, ambition or ideal. Little is known as to the origin of dreams, or why people actually dream. One possible reason is that the brain continues to function during the depths of slumber and if there are any concerns or fears relating to events either forthcoming or perhaps relating to the past, then dreams may help to analyze or consolidate the general picture, albeit in an often fictitious or distorted way. They may even serve as a preparation for a situation yet to be encountered. Job 33:14-18 reminds us: “For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.”
It has been maintained by some that if dreams come true or appear real, then the reason is usually coincidental. However, much ambiguity exists concerning this subject with many different opinions, and this fact alone, may be considered a fallacy. Although there are references to the possible falsehood of dreams stated in Jeremiah 23:25, God is also known to speak to people in their dreams. There are several stories of dreams quoted in the Bible which can ultimately relate to actual divine guidance or prophecy. The story of Joseph in the old testament book of Genesis and the subsequent revelation of his dreams, or Joseph, the husband-to-be of the Virgin Mary who doubted, are two apposite examples that cannot be taken lightly. Genesis 37:5-11 states: “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.
He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.” His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. “Listen,” he said, “I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, “What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
Matthew 1:20-21 continues: But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Amen.
