“Vision is the border line between vision/dream or trance making it difficult, if not

impossible, to determine a biblical definition” (The New Bible Dictionary 1973). In Hebrew, the

word for vision is hāzôn which is the root used to describe the beholding of a vision by the seer

while in an ecstatic state. Ecstatic is defined as a feeling or expressing overwhelming happiness or joyful excitement (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary 1993). To add a personal extension to this definition, I assert that it is an intense exaltation of the mind and feelings. Therefore, do dreams give off tendencies as prescribed above? hmmm? Hear me out, dreams and visions can be one and the same conceptual idea, but what happens when a dream is hindered due to day-to-day external factors or personal afflictions?

Gazing upon the water one morning in a pool lane, meditating on my dreams, a thought of realization transpired: “Be still, and know that I am God” (English Standard Bible, Ps. 46.10). Inherently taking scripture literally, I quieted myself, even though feeling a bit suspicious. I started to practice a state of stillness posed as a Statue of Liberty except without a torch or crown. While being in a state of liberty, I controlled my breath, pondering. While reflecting I focused my sight on the reflection of the quarter mark flags reflecting on the surface of the water. Being transfixed on one simple task for a few minutes gave me insight that in my personal life my vision has gone astray due to matters of the heart. 

Why had my soul sunk to the pits of Sheol? What am I doing back in B.C.? Oh Lord, I have tasted and seen, but these sea billows roll heavy; help me to say it is well with my soul! A reorientation needed to be initiated or a restoration of what was beating in my heart from the start of this faith walk with hombre Jesus. Do not get me wrong; there was a deep understanding that walking with the Lord is not all chocolates and daisies in the land of milk and honey. That phrase still gets me because to receive milk and honey there is a process involving hard work retrieving these good resources. In situations such as back in my neon light days, I would usually cope with hedonistic ways to recalibrate. In this Jesus way I have been leaning on ascetic ways for the voice of God to be turned up! Practicing a form of fasting is a way to go in addition to relying on surrendering, prayer, worship, and reading scripture intentionally.

In this time of searching for direction and vision, one of my mentors pointed me to an embellished story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50, which should be called “from the pit to the palace.”

The story became live and active and initiated a resuscitation of my heart, sparking a new-found

fire from the spirit of God. Joseph is the son of Israel who was the favourite (Israel is Jacob, who

is the man who wrestled God, and his hip got popped, but he got blessed up). Jacob loved Joseph very much for he obeyed his father well. Jacob decorated  Joseph with a robe which caused Joseph’s brothers to grow disgusted with him. Joseph being Joseph, honest and true, harnessed complications for himself by sharing his dreams with his family and giving negative reports about his brothers not shepherding well. Eventually, the brothers are so upset with all the circumstances and shenanigans of Joseph that they plot to execute the dreamer. 

God intervenes using Reuben in the picture to divert the brothers from committing a sinful act. Instead, Joseph’s brothers make a plan to sell him to the Ishmaelites for 20 pieces of silver. Oh my days … today that would work out to be $200, which is enough for a textbook, or a bougie fingerboard (techdeck), or to get your hair done. In this saga, Joseph is consistently presented with metaphorical versions of pits (the first pit is literal though), but with his eyes focused on the original vision/dream God lifts him up eventually. Using his gifts acquired and then proceeding to practice his disciplines time and time again. God grows Joseph in resilience and in trust to become a seasoned leader. In the end, Joseph becomes second in command to Pharaoh, in a position to bless his family and forgive them for all inflictions in the beginning. 

Do not take my disclosure of this story as a thought of being in power or in a palace, although that would be magnificent. Instead, ponder the deep heart sentiments of what dreams or visions you have. Recalibrate your dreams and God will help determine how to use your passions and giftings (your fishnet) once again. Dream on, dreamers, surrender them to God with your eyes transfixed on him, and taste and see that the Lord is good.