Living the Dream?

Dec 14

Sometimes I use “living the dream” to describe something that is incredible, and I know it isn’t realistic. And at other times, I use the phrase for something that is hard but totally worth it.

In this way, “living the dream” is about celebration and anticipation. It captures what I’m excited about and how to reset my expectations.

“Living the dream” celebrates the past and it anticipates the future.

Do you long for more joy in your life? Psalm 126 gives us two ways for God’s people to facilitate joy: 1) celebration and 2) anticipation.

They’re both rooted in the character of God. And they need to be embraced together.

Celebration

The psalmist looks back and rehearses a time when the blessing of God felt like a dream.

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. (Ps. 126:1-3)

This is a key to true joy. It’s the connection, not to circumstances, but to the Lord. Take note of the phrases “The Lord restored the fortunes…” and “the Lord has done great things for us.”

We need to celebrate the right thing. Or better: we need to celebrate the right person. It was the Lord who restored their lives. It was the Lord who did great things.

When God’s people celebrate the Lord, it leads them to joy.

Anticipation

Psalm 126 also chooses joy as it also acknowledges the pain of life. It looks to God for help when life is hard. This is why the source of joy is important.

Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Ps. 126:4-6)

Joy in the “valleys” requires knowing who is with us and anticipating his presence and help in the future.

There are times when life feels like a desert with no life; it’s dry and harsh. But just under the soil are seeds waiting to spring up once the water comes. Our lives are like that.

There are long stretches of barrenness when God suddenly invades our lives with his surprising grace. This is what the psalmist is praying for - even seeing his tears as seeds that will bear fruit in the future.

Underneath our celebration is the understanding that it was the Lord who did great things for us. “This wouldn’t have happened without the Lord.” And underneath our tear-filled anticipation is the understanding that it’s the Lord who does great things for us. “This won’t happen without the Lord.”

We live on God’s grace in the past, and we live on God’s grace in the future.

We celebrate his help, and we anticipate his help.