In Genesis 37 we are introduced to a remarkable young man by the name of Joseph. Only 17 years old, Joseph knew that God had a plan for his life. God showed that to him in a couple of dreams. When he shared his dreams with his family, they scoffed at him. His brothers hated him, and his father rebuked him. But the dreams that were given to Joseph helped him to know that God had a great purpose for his life. He could not have understood the scope of that purpose, but we can look back and see how God was working in his life to help unfold His wonderful plan to save the world through Jesus.

I have often used my sermons to exhort people to dream big dreams. Some people took me up on that challenge immediately—they fell asleep before the sermon was over!

Seriously, God wants to use each of us in a big way. So let’s dream big dreams. Let’s not allow the skepticism of others to discourage us. Let’s open ourselves to the possibility that God has some plans for our lives that will bring people to Jesus! Let’s persevere until we see great things happening in the kingdom of God!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”—Ephesians 3:20-21.