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Dark Nights & Crazy Dreams

Introduction

I’ll never forget it. That unnerving feeling. That sensation you get when something’s off and you’re not safe. The trembling inside as it quickly worked its way from mind to muscle. My heart was racing, knowing I had to move. Immediately I swung around, bolted into the house and up the stairs, as if something were hot on my tail chasing me. It was about midday. The sun was out, shining brightly as it would on any crisp, clear day in the fall. The air was still and the grass was green. As I tore through the house and stormed into the upstairs back corner bedroom, slamming the door behind me, I knew there was only one thing I could do in that situation. As fast as I could, and with all the strength I could muster, I took a running leap out the second story window. Turning in midair as I quickly rose above the expansive willow tree in the backyard, I finally saw it. The hatred in its yellow eyes was unmistakable as the 30-foot beast of a dragon unleashed its deadly flame in my direction. Instinctively, and I don’t know how else to describe it, a burst of powerful energy shot through my arms and out my hands at the beast and its flame, neutralizing the heat and striking fear back into its hate-filled eyes. It was nothing short of exhilarating!

Then I woke up. Feeling like Iron Man must feel (this dream happened long before the way cool movies came out) and totally bummed that my intense, crazy, superhero dream (with me as the star) had to come to an abrupt end, I tried every way I knew how to turn over, go back to sleep, and get in where I left off, as you might see in some science-fiction, Inception-type dream thriller. But I couldn’t. Okay, so I have crazy dreams from time to time. Who doesn’t? I actually love to dream at night because I dream a lot, in full color, and I never know what adventure might be awaiting me as I crash for the night!

Maybe you’re one of those people who never dreams. I know a few people like that, though I can’t quite relate. Going to sleep must be boring for you guys. Then again, you probably don’t wake up as tired as I do.

Dreams have been the subject of human fascination and study for probably just about as long as our race has been in existence. Oneirology is the technical term for the study of dreams, at least according to Microsoft Copilot that is. In modern times, we study how dreaming coincides with brain activity, memory, and too much pizza. In ancient times, dreams were often attributed to the supernatural – whether from God, the devil or some kind of funky spirit. And, in both eras, people always want to know what their dreams mean, if anything at all. I’d love to see someone try to interpret my dreams. Good luck!

Everyone has dreams. I love my rare, but no-AI-needed “I can fly” dreams where I’ve soared above trees and buildings, or high in the air on moonlit evenings along the beach, enjoying the warm wind blowing against my face. Those are too cool! I hate my spider dreams, for the obvious reason that spiders are creepy and were probably the devil’s idea. But whether dreams happen while we sleep or whether dreams are those thoughts, images, and goals that reflect the deepest desires of our hearts, everyone has dreams. And sometimes they’re crazy. And sometimes they may even be from God.

Everyone also has dark nights. The deadly battle with cancer that my Grandpa fought courageously before it took his life was one such dark night for me and for the whole family. To this day I still, on occasion, have dreams that he’s alive. The day my college fiancé decided she had had enough of me, threw (maybe it was just a toss, but it felt like a fast-ball) the engagement ring at me, and broke it off was the beginning of a seven month-long dark night that finally came to an end on that never-will-I-forget evening that my path crossed with the beautiful woman to whom I am still married today! Pastoring through a church split was another such season of seemingly endless dark nights, as once-faithful friends and coworkers unleashed a barrage of accusations, insults and betrayals toward me as they walked out the door. And, as a dad who deeply loves his kids and hates to see any of them wander, struggle or suffer, I’ve had some dark nights that have totally crushed me.

Dark nights are painful times. Excruciating in many cases. We experience such an array of emotions that flow along the river of less-than desirable circumstances. Anxiety, anger, fear, hopelessness, and despair to name a few of them. The nights often seem endless. We’d give anything to either see the morning or try to get some sleep and dream a little. Or a lot. Some of us may even fall into a zombie-like state, numb to life without any belief that the night will finally end.

Dark nights and crazy dreams. Just another part of life. Or do they have more significance than that? Could it be that they happen to serve a higher purpose of some sort? Are they somehow, in the vast scheme of whatever we may consider reality, sent our way by God, fate, the devil, random chance, or maybe even aliens? I don’t believe in aliens, by the way.

I don’t know what you may or may not believe about God or the Bible or religion, but we’re going to take a good look at a famous story recorded in the first book of the Bible: Genesis. This story is about a young dude who came to know a lot about dark nights and crazy dreams. We’re going to look at it because I think it has a lot to say to us. Though we live in 21st century America, where life is so different, human nature hasn’t changed a bit. Books, movies, songs, and Broadway musicals have been made about this guy in Genesis. His crazy dreams weren’t drug induced, sorry if that disappoints you. His dark nights weren’t self-induced either. But Joseph learned a truckload (or camel load) through his dreams and the hell that he endured. And, there’s a lot that we can learn from this guy who took the punches, never gave up, and came through his journey alive, with a story, a purpose, and a future that most only, well, dream about!

Wherever you’re at on your journey, you’ll be able to identify in a deep and profound way with Joseph. And I hope that his story pierces you as it has me. If you think you know Joseph or his story, think again. If you don’t know his story, you’re in for a ride.

So, if you’re going through a dark night, read on and don’t stop. I believe that you’ll find strength, courage, and hope that your night will not only end, but that you just might have a dream come true when morning dawns. That is, if you learn humility and are willing to grow. If you aren’t going through a dark night, you will. So, read on and get prepared. And keep dreaming…even crazy dreams. They just might be from God.