Visions

Visions are dreams that individuals have birthed.  My definition of the difference between dreams, visions, and worlds of our imagination maybe someone arbitrary, however bear with me for a bit.  We, at least it is true with myself, life in worlds of our own imagination.  They are virtual worlds shaped by interactions with inanimate objects that we imagine sharing with others.  Telephones, movies, television, emails, and the web are just the beginning.  Life today is often devoid of human touch, existing on as we imagine.
In this virtual world, we dream of what might be.  In my experience, dreams are a step beyond my virtual world.  While I often can taste and feel my dreams, they are less than real.  They may have fantastic potential, but it is just potential.  They may hold the promise of change, reward, and opportunity, but it just a promise.  They may even cause pain, yet they are simply images found in our imagination.
Dreams change with someone pulls the images into reality.  With the first decision, a vision is born.  As actions come from the images, visions become real.  With believe, what is singular becomes communal.  Everything pivots on the choice, decision, and ultimately action of an individual.
Many visions never see daylight.  They remain as imagines of what might be, stillborn because of our fear, uncertainty, and doubts.  When Ananias was told of another's dream, “he has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again,”  (Acts 9.12) he knew the dream would remain a dream unless he acted.
You and I play critical roles.  It may seem mundane, yet compassion, mercy, and acceptance are priceless gifts we hold in the dreams of others.  We are invited to turn dreams into visions into reality.  We are invited into God's creative process.  What may be simply a figment of someone's imagination can become real with our actions.  Welcome to an incredible opportunity that is worthy of our best.  It is time we fully engage.