You Have The Right To Remain Silent

Insight 83 | Sometimes a good reminder goes a long way. 

So, in case you haven't heard it recently, allow me to remind you:

You have the right to remain silent.

Indeed, you have permission to stay quiet. Why?

A variety of reasons, but principally one guiding thought that will fundamentally change 

how you view your hopes and goals, the language you use regarding them, and just who you allow to step into that inner and private world you call your dreams.

If there is only one idea you walk away with today, I pray it is this:

“Don't share your big dreams with small-minded people.”

Let that one sink in.

While the source of the quote is unclear, the idea first came to me when my mother played a clip of Steve Harvey, the prominent American television host, speaking about dreams. I have never been the same since then.  Although it may sound a bit harsh or difficult to digest, it doesn’t make this statement any less true.

For many, the natural first response is to list reasons why it is wrong, mean, rude, or even not Christ-like. But that is simply not true, after all, God called us to “love one another as we love ourselves”, not to “share all our deepest and most treasured thoughts with anyone who will listen.”

Take, for example, the number of times Jesus, when asked a direct question, answered with a parable, a second question in return, or didn't provide an answer at all. When asked why, his reasons are clear:

• “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” John 16:12

• “'To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.” - Matthew 13:11

Sometimes it's about timing; other times, it's about the individual involved. Is it wrong to stay strategic with your silence or to hold your cards close to your chest? No. It is intentional and wise. It is more than a practice of self-preservation; it is the fulfillment of a much deeper truth: Certain dreams are not for everyone.

Jesus himself said, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”

Is this stating or even implying that some people in your life are animals? Not necessarily. What it does make clear is that the Messiah himself distinguishes between individuals and the extent to which we are responsible for sharing certain things with them. This is not rude; this is prudent. After all, the prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it (Proverbs 22:3).

But that is not all. Let's consider Joseph, the young dreamer with a good heart but envious brothers. In the latter half of Genesis, when he shares the insights he has while he sleeps, his brothers brew jealousy in their hearts, and their bitterness boils into a seething plan of deception, betrayal, and lies. While ultimately God uses what was “meant for evil” for good (Genesis 50:2), there is nonetheless a clear warning about sharing dreams with the wrong people.

While I bet you have many good thoughts hidden away (which you should write down and always record), not all these ambitions are weighed the same, and as a result, not all are held to the same degree of scrutiny. To best understand what constitutes a proper “dream”, let us look at the examples above and the language surrounding them.

Notice the phrasing within Jesus’s warning, he notes we should not share that which is “sacred”, taking it a step further with the metaphor of pearls. This insight gives us the first part of our working definition of a dream: It is something treasured, special, and sacred. Furthemrore they are fragile and delicate! If not taken care of, they can be broken.

Considering Joseph's story, another layer is added. Pay attention to how only Joseph receives the dream, while his other brothers do not. What does this mean? Sometimes you're the only one who can see, even if you don't always understand. It’s a dance with fate and faith.

Put these two together, and we see that a dream is a treasured, special, and sacred vision

God has given you that he may or may not have given to another, for you to cultivate, take care of, and nourish for his Kingdom and glory.

Where’d that last part come from? From the evidence of what God does with a dream when you give it back to him. Remember, what one may intend for evil, God can always use for good. See, not everyone may understand your dream; that's why God gave it to you and not to them. This goes both ways, often being the reason God gave certain dreams to them rather than to you. A healthy reminder to keep our egos in check and our desires at the foot of this throne.

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Today's article is an encouragement to be selective with who you allow into your inner circle and how you treat those treasures God grants you.

I believe it is fitting to end with the lyrics from the chorus of one of my favorite songs, "Dream for You," by Casting Crowns. It speaks to the power of what God can do when you allow him to be your confidante and the source of your inspiration. There is no better world than one in which you allow God to do the dreaming.

So come on, let Me dream, let Me dream for you

I am strong when you're weak, and I'll carry you

So let go of your plan, be caught by My hand

I'll show you what I can do

When I dream for you

I have a dream for you

The next question on your mind may be, “How does one determine who to share a dream with and with whom to remain reserved?” And that is a great question, one we’ll explore next week. 

In the meantime, believe in the dreams God has given you and be careful who you choose to share them with.

- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta

Sources:

A Time To Share And a time to withhold: A time to be silent and a time to speak. - Ecclesiastes 3:7 

A Call To Prudence: The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. - Proverbs 22:3

Strategic Silence: Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. - Proverbs 17:27- 28

Steve Harvey Speech On Dreams: Link

Let God “Dream For You”: Link