I had a dream last night. It was one of those vivid, oh-so-real dreams. I want to share it with you.

I was standing among a large crowd in our small town watching the holiday parade. As the local high school band approached, I heard them playing a familiar tune. It took a few moments for the words to the tune to register in my mind. As the words came to me, I thought wryly to myself, "I'll bet they don't have a clue just what song they are actually playing. Someone has probably taken the tune and assigned new words to it." But I was wrong to think that way, for it was then that the band stopped marching, lowered their instruments, and their voices sweetly rang out the words:

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord."

And as they reached the chorus, the entire crowd all along the sidewalks sang along with them:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!

It was then that I awoke with the words of 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus written by Louisa Stead over 100 years ago still ringing in my mind. I awoke with a wonderful feeling of peace and joy. And that dream wasn't just a dream. It was a vision from God--a vision of what could be. Due to recent national tragic events, the name of God has been making a "comeback" in our government, places of business, and schools. It is also possible for the name of Jesus to likewise be lifted up, too. Oh, wouldn't that be wonderful!? Can you imagine what it would be like for every individual watching a parade in a small town to begin to exalt the name of Jesus!? What about in a larger town or in a big city? Imagine the name of Jesus ringing out from loving lips all across our nation! What would our country be like if everyone really did trust in Jesus as the words in the song say? Indeed, that is the very root of all of the problems in our country and even within our congregations today--we don't always trust in Jesus. But we can if we choose to. If we will lay aside our doubts, and truly trust in Jesus, this dream and others can become reality.

I've shared my dream with you. Will you make it yours, too? Will you take this dream and also make it your vision of what could be and then take that vision and make it a goal to work toward? While this might seem like an impossible task, given the circumstances of our nation and world today, I know it could be possible, for Jesus said,"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:27) If we will take a stand for Jesus and share about His love and power to save with others, this dream, vision, and goal can become a reality . . . one for us to work toward through the power of God, all in that sweet, sweet Name, as we trust in Jesus.