Walter Brueggemann was a prophetic voice to the modern church. His idea of the "royal consciousness" helps us understand how every empire, every system, and every culture trains people to accept the world as it is. Royal consciousness says, "The pain, the disappointment, even the injustice, it's all normal. Nothing will ever change."
And that is the world the ancient prophet Joel speaks into. God's people had experienced devastation. Besides losing the tangible aspect of life, their joy and hope were taken as well. But God promises a restoration that comes when the people return to God with all their heart (Joel 2:12). Much would be restored to the people, and they would also experience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
The first sign of the Spirit is imagination. Listen again to what Joel says, "Your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions."
The Spirit gives people the ability to see beyond the limits of the present moment, and that is the blessing of God's Spirit.
Prophecy is not about predicting the future. Prophecy is speaking God's possibility into a world addicted to despair. As such, our dreams are not a way to escape, and our visions are not fantasies. We dream as a way to resist the numbness of the royal consciousness and our visions give us glimpses of God's kingdom breaking into the mess of our world.
Empire wants people exhausted, numb, and hopeless. But the Spirit inspires people to imagine mercy, justice, healing, and renewal. That is why prophecy is dangerous.
The Spirit teaches us to see tomorrow even as we stand in today's ruins.
So, it may take courage, but hold onto the belief that God is not finished. Believe that when and where the Spirit is poured out, people have the courage to imagine life beyond our despair.
Stay blessed...john
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