Nougat 31

Sometimes in church, and even in everyday life, we have a tendency to act as though only older folks can interpret and fulfil God’s mission. However, whether we search the Scriptures or our own lives, the evidence suggests otherwise. The maidservant of Naaman’s wife, Samuel the prophet, the boy who offered his lunch, and even Timothy are common enough reminders from the biblical text that God works with youth to effect God’s will. Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to reflect on the manifest presence of God among our youth.

Acts 2:17 CEVDCI

[17] “When the last days come, I will give my Spirit to everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams.

Sent … With Prophesying, Visions, and Dreams 3

[Apologies – the numbering of the series is incorrect. Yesterday was #2, not #4]

Horao.

The Greek root for what we refer to as ‘visions’. In the context of Acts, it refers to receiving ‘inspired’ pictures or ideas that take on ‘visible’ form. These are not great ideas to launch companies or for self-actualisation. Rather, it is a vision from the Lord, which God shares through others. In Hebrew, the same concept chazah refers to revelations, expectations through dreams, and/or divine communication. Some of the most renowned visionaries in the Hebrew Scriptures were young men – Samuel, Joseph and Daniel. There is no doubt that the visions they received were of God.

Self-Check

Have we discounted the evidence of God’s anointing on others based on culturally determined criteria? Were we denied opportunities to share God’s vision, and how did others’ responses affect our spiritual life?

Digging Deeper

The issue of God’s anointing in the lives of God’s chosen has had the effect of drawing some closer to, or pushing others away from God. I’ve personally known young people, who, having received visions from God, were also operating under God’s prophetic anointing. Yet, in their spaces of public worship, they were castigated and discouraged from manifesting God’s free gifts. Having had no one to explain, guide, or accompany them, they ‘quenched’ God’s Spirit and missed out on years of blessings. I assume that the congregation also experienced a decline in spiritual growth that was theirs for the taking.

Siblings, if we agree that God’s Spirit is accessible to everyone, then we must also accept that youth can receive visions from the Lord, just as women and men are anointed to prophesy. God’s gifts aren’t reserved for a select few. They are ours for the taking. Visions are vital building blocks for a healthy congregation, just as youth are essential for its present and future growth physically and spiritually.

In referencing chazah, the Topical Lexicon (TL) indicates that visions offer ‘a disclosure [revelation] from God that breaks into the human sphere’. The TL further suggests that visions reflect

Divine initiative – they are from God, not a figment of the imagination

Covenant continuity – they fulfil God’s covenant over time

Judgement and Mercy – not all are about God’s pending judgement; they also point to God’s grace

Universality – God’s anointing is inclusive

In explaining the Greek, TL offers a slightly nuanced difference in the definition. It states that visions offer divine truths which meet us at the intersection of human experience and revelation, helping us to perceive God’s nearness as well as God’s sovereignty over history. This suggests that between the insight and wisdom of elders and the current context of our worship spaces, God still speaks. Not only through the elders, but also with, to, and through our youth. We have a covenantal obligation to hear them out. What they offer can propel God’s people forward through evangelistic momentum’ [because … ] Spirit-empowered proclamation accompanies Spirit-given visions, resulting in the spread of the Gospel.

If being sent is about the Gospel spreading by proclamation, then visions are critical to that process. By extension, the work of ministry is for everyone, and not exclusive to a select few. This suggests that every single one of us who is called by God has been sent to share the Gospel. What are we doing individually and collectively to walk into God’s plan for humanity through us?

Points to Ponder

Are we receiving Godly visions as youth? What did we do to keep God’s presence close when we received visions? How are we encouraging others to hear from God as this Act unfolds?

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May all we seek be found in Christ