Joel:
“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions…" [NLT]
Acts:
‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams…'[NLT]
The remarkable fact about these two passages are their similarities. The only differences are minor. In Acts the text reinforces that these are the words of God and secondly, Luke, the writer of Acts, changes the order and puts the actions of the young men before what will happen to the old.
As I was meditating on what, for me, are the same texts I became aware of a couple of important points. During my 78 years here on this world of ours I have come to the conclusion that women, both old and young, should be included in this experience. They are not excluded from the ability of discerning vision and they are definitely capable of dreaming dreams. Perhaps a difference could be found in the fact that women tend to ask the practical questions of "how" and "when".
The second point has to do with the difference between what is understood as "visions" and what is understood as "dreams". It occurred to me that younger people "see" what has to be done and it invariably involves them in a course of action that has lifelong implications. Visions, in the main, seem to address what is going to happen to the person experiencing them. Questions like “What am I going to do for the next five years?” or “How do I lead the ministry that God has entrusted to me?” etc.
Dreams, on the other hand, are different. It is important for the older person having them to understand that they are unlike visions and that, in no way are they any less vital. The difference most often rests in the fact that their content may extend beyond the lifetime of the person experiencing them. They can deal with long term concepts like direction etc. The biggest problem in most situations is that older people lose confidence and feel that they have little to give.
Wisdom and experience count and are needed. Perhaps a great picture of this in action that can be found in the cockpit of a plane about to take off. As permission is given to commence the roll the pilot flying places his hand on the engine thrust levers and the other pilot places his hand on top, giving validity to what he is doing and assurance that both are in agreement. Together they advance the controls to takeoff speed. Dreams, when properly understood, can provide encouragement and conformation. They can also sound notes of caution where there is misplaced enthusiasm. Older people you have a big role to play - Don't be afraid!
Roger Manchester UK
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