Secret Dreams

“So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God has put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding. After dark I went through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal’s Well, and over the Dung Gate to insepct the broken walls and burned gates. Then I went to the Fountain Gate and to the King’s Pool, but my donkey couldn’t get through the rubble. So, though it was still dark, I went up the Kidron Valley instead, inspecting the wall before I turned back and entered again at the Valley Gate. The city officials did not know I had been out there or what I as doing, for I had not yet said anything to anyone about my plans. I had not yet spoken to the Jewish leaders—the priests, the nobles, the officials, or anyone else in the administration. But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and it’s gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace.” Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work. –{Neh. 2:11-18}

When you think of the word “secret” what kind reaction does that word stir up in you? For most of us when we think of the word “secret” we think of it in a negative context—that’s what I use to think too.

Can there be such a thing as a good secret?

The answer is, yes.

In the New Testament Paul often referred to Jesus as “the secret revealed…” Simply meaning that all throughout the Old Testament there were prophesies about the coming Messiah. There was a huge build up of anticipation leading up to Jesus’ birth and even after he was born.

There is so much to be said about secrets—good secrets. That may call for another post all together. It’s my the grace of God I can stay on track here and actually share what’s on my heart.

The theology of secrecy is this: secrets manifest.

Good or bad—they grow and become bigger and bigger. The anticipation is heightened. Think of when a friend tells you they want to share something with you, but not right in that moment—they want to tell you later. Does that not drive anyone else crazy besides me? It becomes all-consuming, doesn’t it? The anticipation builds until they finally tell you whatever it is they want to share!

The kind of secret I want to talk about is: dreams

What kind of dreams or visions has God put in your hearts?

If you are like me, when God gives you a vision for something, a dream, an opportunity, or a word about a situation/circumstance, it’s all you can do to keep it to yourself! My temptation is to run around and share with anyone who will listen.

Secrets are hard for me to keep when it comes to something God is teaching or showing me, or calling me to do. One of the hardest lessons I am learning is that there is a time and a place to share with people what God has called us to do.

The verse in {Neh.2:11} has stuck with me that last few weeks. Just to give you some context, Nehemiah was the cup bearer to the King of Persia. He was originally from Jerusalem—that was his home.

Nehemiah left a comfortable job as an assistant to the king of Persia in order to help the people of Jerusalem. His new work involved motivating the people to rebuild the city’s walls in spite of their neighbors’ opposition. But Nehemiah’s work was not just with bricks  and mortar; he also mediated a financial crisis, initiated religious reforms, and reorganized civic responsibilities in Jerusalem. Nehemiah demonstrated that with faith, prayer and God’s help, God’s servants can succeed.- (NLT Commnetary)

It can be easy when God has given us a word, dream, or vision to start talking too early to people and we begin getting voices in our head, voices that drown out God, and it can create discouragement and we never move forward in obedience.

Allow intimacy with God to build before you build the dream

Like Nehemiah, we have to hear from God first before we start saying anything. His voice needs to be loudest—God may use other voices to confirm what he said, but they are never to become louder than His. 

Allow for a time/season where it’s just you and God. Allow for God to speak to you about what He has put in your heart to do for him. It can be very easy once you get started to get lost in all the noise of opinions and voices…that you have to be able to hear the shepherds voice over the rest. 

Not only did Nehemiah not tell anyone for the first three days, he went out and looked at the wall at night {Neh.2:12}. During the day there would have been a lot of activity, a lot of questions, a lot of options I’m sure. But at night he can go and survey what it is God is calling him to do. I know for me, going at night would allow for me be far more clear headed and be able to hear from God without all the distraction the day can bring.

All throughout the night Nehemiah went out and examined the wall. He didn’t tell anyone what he was doing—can you imagine what he people with him must have been thinking. But he didn’t share yet what God had told him. He had ever intention of letting the people know, but he waited.

Vs.17} “Then I said…”

Finally Nehemiah lets us in our his secret. At the right time he shared his dream and the people shared in his dream and vision to rebuild the wall. It was only after examining the wall that he said anything.

I am not saying that before we step out in faith we have to know every answer to every question. But there is a degree of wisdom in no being too blind walking into something. God equips those he calls—but sometimes God calls us to walk around the wall and examine what it is he is calling us to do. Doesn’t change the calling, just allows one to proceed with wisdom.

Nehemiah could lead more effectively because he took the time to prepare for what God had called him to do.

There are moments when God tells us to jump {not much detail, blind faith} he just tells us to “go” and we are to GO! Other times, he requires some effort on our part—the equipping happens as we do our part and then God does his.

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost…”-{Luke 14:28-30}

Same is true of us in whatever God has called us to do. God can call us to do something, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t some time, prep, work, and estimation of cost (discernment) we don’t also contribute and need to weigh.

Nehemiah call didn’t change. He wasn’t examining the wall to determine if he was going to be obedient. He was examining the wall so he could wrap his heart and mind around what this was going to take/cost. He was counting the cost—what was this going to require?  He was approaching this assignment with wisdom and discernment.

What vision or dream has God put in your heart? Like Nehemiah, there is a time and place to reveal that dream.

Be careful who you tell. Nehemiah told the King and Queen, but no one else until he examined the wall. Who are the few close people God has put in your life that are not just friends but wise counsel. I know for me, as much as I love my girlfriends, all the wisdom in the world in not locked up in them at time…I have to seek age and experience. Who are your “few?”

Develop intimacy with God before you share the dream with the world. Your relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship—any dream or vision should be an overflow of that relationship. All throughout the New Testament we see that Jesus would make time to get away from the crowds to be alone with the Father. If Jesus needed that time, what makes us think we can do what God has called us to do without spending time with Him and allowing Him to speak into our hearts—before we share shouts with the world.

Count the cost. Nehemiah examined the wall before he said anything to anyone, and he did it at night. He was alone. He didn’t need the extra noise the day-time would bring. Before he could lead he had to first be lead.

All about the timing! When he did tell the people they were all on board saying,
“lets rebuild the wall.” It was a community—each person/family doing their part. But without that night he set aside to walk around the all Nehemiah would not have known how to lead effectively.

What dreams/visions has God given you? Have you taken the time to “walk around the wall and examine it…”discerning who to tell, and when, and counting the cost so you can do the very thing God has called you to do?!

Example: God may have called you to be a doctor…to rebuild and help save lives! Examine that wall! What is it going to take? School! Studying hard!

There maybe secret dreams and visions God has put in your heart…but before you go and tell the world…make sure you’ve spent some time walking around the wall at night.

Despite the fact that the returned exiles had been in Jerusalem for many years, the wall of the city remained unrepaired, leaving it’s people defenseless and vulnerable. Upon hearing this new, Nehemiah seeking permission from the Persian king to go to Jerusalem. Arriving in Jerusalem, he mobilized the people to begin rebuilding the wall. Faced with opposition, both from without and within, Nehemiah perseveres until the project is completed and the city resettled. Seemingly impossible tasks can be accomplished when God is helping those who honor him and when their efforts are united. (NLT Commentary)