Following the Dream…

In the sweltering heat of a Washington DC summer in 1963, a quarter of a million people gathered in the capitol extending back from the Lincoln Memorial, having marched in support of Civil Rights. Several speakers regaled the masses. As the final speaker prepared to move to the podium, the television networks switched to live coverage and Mahalia Jackson sang, ‘I’ve been ‘buked and I’ve been scorned…’ Anticipation built as Rev Dr Martin Luther King stood before the large crowd, having prepared scrupulously for this, his most important speech to date. He and his trusted aides spent the night working and reworking the text, as they sought to wend a course between the difficult obstacles of policy and reactive voices to unite people solidly behind a just cause. His words were thoroughly prepared, and he began, recalling Lincoln’s great Gettysburg Address, declaring the slaves of the south, free. His words moved between poetry and stiff legalese. The prepared speech was good but not great. He came to a point and realised his next words were lame; he began to improvise and those around his realised this. As he negotiated his way, Mahalia called out, ‘Tell ‘em about the dream, Martin.’ It was a dream he had shared as he toured churches across the US, a dream, a vision of a brighter future where all lived in harmony. He faced the cameras and spoke of his dream, his vision, the vision that had wrapped itself around his being, filled him with passionate hope and drove him onwards, a vision where his children and all children would not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the quality of their character, and be able to share food at the same table. I heard another story of lost dreams or visions. A couple who went to the theatre. They were watching a performance of The Man From La Mancha. During the performance, the man was distracted by the woman next to him. She was obviously nudging her husband and in hushed tones telling him to be quiet: ‘Shh. You’re embarrassing me. Stop it…’ The man surreptitiously glanced sideways. He saw an older man, well dressed and upper-middle class respectability and appearance. He was sobbing uncontrollably, and his wife was trying to quieten him. When the first man looked back up to the stage it was immediately obvious why this other man was sobbing. The figure of Don Quixote was singing, ‘To Dream the Impossible Dream.’ He was singing about beating the unbeatable foe and striving with courage to go where the brave dare not go. He was singing about reaching for the unreachable star and the man was sobbing because somewhere along the way he had lost is dreams, his visions. We all need a dream, a vision for life, something to give us direction, purpose and energy. We need a vision to drive us forward as we strive to become who we can be and make a difference. A vision captivates us and gives meaning to what we do. Proverbs 29 reminds us that without a vision, the people perish. Martin Luther King gave us a dream that day, a vision that captivated him and many others, a vision of justice and life for all. Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandella and many others have given us vision, dreams and purpose that revolve around loving each other, seeking peace, equality and justice. When we hear these great voices, we listen. They lift our minds, our being, our hopes and expectations. We are captivated by a vision of what can be. It motivates us to create a beautiful world with hope and life. All visions begin with the person being captured, held in a passionate moment of clarity and giving themselves into the energy and life of the vision – of letting go of control and entering the flow of visionary life and movement. The New Testament story of Saul’s conversion speaks of a vision, a blinding light and a voice, that brings him to his knees, vulnerable and helpless, blinded and dependent. Saul is transformed, his legalistic belief system blown open and he becomes Paul, the Apostle to the Gentile world of the 1st century. Paul is held by this vision, and it becomes his calling. It drives his life and changes everything. He lets go of everything he was and the absolute control he demanded over people and beliefs of ‘right and wrong.’ He rides the waves of vision and dream, a passionate living in the way of God and the life of the Spirit. He gives everything to share the love and freedom he has experienced in Christ, with the world. In this week’s reading (Acts 16:9-16) Paul is travelling across Asia (modern day Turkey) and his way ‘feels directed’ in a straight line. Every time he looks to turn left or right, he is redirected back on the forward journey, teaching, preaching, sharing hope with those he meets. Finally, he hits the coast of the Aegean Sea in the city of Troas (slightly south of modern-day Gallipoli). Before him is water. He prepares to journey south, north or back inland but is caught by a dream in the night that changes everything – again! In the dream a man cries out for him to come to Macedonia and help them out! Macedonia is ‘out there,’ across the water – 2 days by boat. Paul, a man of dreams and visions, captivated by the Spirit’s call and the Reflection Notes – 25/5/25 6 th Sunday of Easter – Geoff Stevenson mission of God, listens to this latest dream, and enlists a boat to take them across the waters. He arrives on the second day and travels inland to Neapolis and onto Philippi, the capital. On the Sabbath day, he went to where he understood Jewish people would gather to worship and looked for ‘the man’. There were no men, only a group of women, and Paul spoke to them of his vision, his life, his hope, his faith and the love that seized him in Christ. One of the women, Lydia was moved and responded, seeking to be baptised by Paul. She and her household were baptised, and she invited Paul to come and stay – if he found her faithful (worthy of being seen with Paul and offering hospitality). Paul and his group readily went and stayed in Lydia’s home. This was the beginning of the church in Philippi. It began as a vision and the faithful, courageous response by Paul. There was a vision calling him to come and this vision reflected the deep yearning of people, especially Lydia, in Philippi. Life and hope in Christ came to the city. I find this simple story deeply challenging and hopeful. Paul travelled and trusted. When he dreamed of the man in Macedonia, he had the courage and passion to follow. He wasn’t afraid of getting it wrong – he’d turn around and try again, listen harder, more carefully for the voice of love. What does it mean for you and me as we travel along life’s highway, or the low roads of struggle? What dreams do we hold and how do we allow them to find expression and life? Do we have the courage and hope that Paul has, to listen to the Spirit’s wisdom and follow into unknown, strange places? Will we live into the vision of Jesus and love of God that invites us to live life in love, hope, justice and peace – and faith? Hear the gentle voice of love that will affirm and guide you. Walk in the way of love, the way of Jesus.