Dream Forward!

Many game-changer Scripture verses have both Old and New Testament roots. In Acts 2 Peter quotes the prophet Joel:

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Imagine how topsy-turvy and disruptive this prophetic reminder must have seemed to the middle-aged, male-dominated, highly-educated, top-down religious elite. What? Prophetic words coming from younger generations, both male and female? Vision from younger men? Dreams from old men?

Then, taking it a step further, Joel and Peter unveil a wider swath of Spirit empowerment—even the servants will receive an outpouring and will prophesy.

Our Western minds tend to chop this up. We struggle to imagine kids in children’s church prophesying. We picture young men (and women) sharing visions with those in their peer groups. And old men, bordering senility, are off in a rest home dreaming about the good ol’ days and heaven.

But when we replace our Western thinking with kingdom perspective, we see an interdependent body with forward-leaning ministry moving freely—up and down the age ladder.

One major drawback of circled-wagon age segmentation is a stifling of the Spirit. It can also spill over into racial and socio-economic segregation, where we mainly look out for the interests of others like ourselves.

When older adults isolate generationally, dreams may default to favorite reruns or fast-forward to heaven. We shut out prophetic words coming from younger generations. We resist or discount the vision of young leaders. Instead of the dove of the Holy Spirit releasing us to wholeness, we get pigeon-holed.

Thanks for helping us reinforce this message: We all need each other. May God continue to help us value each part of the body of Christ!