Last week I watched an old favorite movie of mine, Field of Dreams, starring Kevin Costner. You've probably seen it also. I've watch it many times. It's a great movie and has three great spiritual truths in it, at least to me. These truths come from a voice to an Iowa farmer named Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner), and he is inspired to act on this voice he cannot ignore.
Everyone should have a dream they loved to see fulfilled. But there is usually a catch to seeing that happen as you saw in the movie. One is that many people will think you're crazy, especially if you told them you heard a voice, or God gave you a dream and/or spoke to you. The other thing is it will cost you greatly, sometimes everything. But the reward is worth it, even though you may not know what it is at the time.
The main character, Ray, hears three messages from this voice. First one is, "If you build it, he will come." This statement puzzles the farmer, because Ray doesn't know what to build or who "he" is that will come. The same applies for us. God does require us to do something. Sometimes we think we know what God intend for us, only to be surprised in the end by something totally different. Then Ray finally sees a vision of a baseball field in the middle of his corn field, and now believes he knows what he must do, yet it seems totally illogical to him and his friends will think he's crazy. But he builds it anyway despite the mocking and the possibility of even losing his farm. However, the one thing Ray has going for him is that his wife and daughter love and supports him, even though they have not heard "the voice." Along the way Ray meet another man, Terence Mann. He represents to me, an "old prophet," that no one want to hear from anymore or take his advice. Together they pursue the impossible and see their dreams fulfilled. We too must get a vision and believe in the impossible if we want to see incredible dreams come true.
As always, God requires his sons to do something, just as it was for Noah, Abraham and all the other men and women of faith. We can't just stand around and do nothing. God has a plan or dream for each of His sons and daughters to start, build and fulfill that will also help the generations to come. It's not about us or "what's in it for me" as Ray had to learn at the end of the movie. We too must learn that God is not looking for us to do something physical only, but as for the spiritual. Things that are physical are only temporary, but the spiritual ones are for eternity. It starts by taking simple steps of faith. This is important to keep in mind when you pursue a dream. The Kingdom of God is not built by foolish step or from hay, wood or even metals, but from the lives and souls of God's children. Yet, often these steps will appear foolish to the world and the religious people.
As always, God requires his sons to do something, just as it was for Noah, Abraham and all the other men and women of faith. We can't just stand around and do nothing. God has a plan or dream for each of His sons and daughters to start, build and fulfill that will also help the generations to come. It's not about us or "what's in it for me" as Ray had to learn at the end of the movie. We too must learn that God is not looking for us to do something physical only, but as for the spiritual. Things that are physical are only temporary, but the spiritual ones are for eternity. It starts by taking simple steps of faith. This is important to keep in mind when you pursue a dream. The Kingdom of God is not built by foolish step or from hay, wood or even metals, but from the lives and souls of God's children. Yet, often these steps will appear foolish to the world and the religious people.
The next time the voice speaks it says, "Ease his pain." Again the farmer was confused as to whose pain and how he is to do it. As we look around this world today and in our own community or family we see a lot of people who are in pain and suffering, both physically, emotionally and spiritually. And we would like to help, but often feel overwhelmed or powerless to do anything. Yet, there is someone else who is also hurting even more and that is the Heavenly Father. Yes, that's right; God is hurting like any good parent would. He sees all his creation suffering from sin, especially His children, and He is waiting for them to come home and be restored. And to make matters worse many tend to blame Him for their troubles or they just chose to ignore Him or pursuing someone or something else. God does have feeling even if He is a spirit. How can we ease His pain? Simple, just ask Abba Father what we can do and then do what He says. That is the best way to please Him and help ease His pain. It will also bring us a peace and joy that the world can't give.
The third and the final statement is, "Go the distance." This is the real test for most people. A lot of them can start a race, but few will finish it. You've heard all the excuses, but the prize still goes only to those who finish the race. The more successful runners (dreamers) in the Kingdom of God are those who usually have developed a more disciplines life, pay a price and have kept their eyes on Jesus Christ, the prize.
At the end of the movie Ray finally sees and understands who was the real recipient of all his efforts, it was his father. The dream Ray thought was lost due to his guilt and shame for things he had said an done, because he misunderstood the his father. So it is with us when we come to the end of ourselves and finally see Him face to face. There will be no guilt or shame. There is nothing, but the Fathers embrace and His delight as we walk, talk and play "catch" with Him in the cool of the day. God wants to build within each of us this place (a relationship) and a dream that we can share together.
At the end of the movie Ray finally sees and understands who was the real recipient of all his efforts, it was his father. The dream Ray thought was lost due to his guilt and shame for things he had said an done, because he misunderstood the his father. So it is with us when we come to the end of ourselves and finally see Him face to face. There will be no guilt or shame. There is nothing, but the Fathers embrace and His delight as we walk, talk and play "catch" with Him in the cool of the day. God wants to build within each of us this place (a relationship) and a dream that we can share together.
A final note: Several times throughout the movie people ask Ray, "Is this heaven?", because they are so happy. Ray just laughs and then replies, "No, this is Iowa." The truth— heaven is found in the glory of the Heavenly Father and walking in His perfect will. This is where you will find and experience your dream—knowing what it's like to be a true son. And lastly, there is also a statement made at the end of the movie about baseball, and my response to that is, there is really only one constant over the years and throughout the ages, and it's not baseball, it's the love of the Heavenly Father (Jesus Christ) and the Kingdom of God.
