I have this annoying habit of watching Marvel and Disney movies and finding spiritual lessons. The other day, I watched the newest Dr. Strange movie, Multiverse of Madness. Once again, I found myself writing a sermon based on the movie.
In this latest Marvel Movie, they introduced a term – Dream Walking. It is the process of going into various universes while you are sleeping, trying to find the “perfect life.” (Spoiler alert: There was no perfect Universe). The problem with Dream Walking is that you will eventually begin partnering with evil.
Coveting what others have is the biblical term for Dream Walking. Dream Walking is walking through your life in a fog, focusing more on what you don’t have rather than enjoying what you do have.
You see friends, coveting produces discontentment. Discontentment produces ungratefulness. Ungratefulness leads to jealousy. Jealousy leads to an “any means necessary” approach to life.
I’ve always wondered why, “Thou shall not covet,” made the big ten. But coveting can lead to murder (Cain and Abel), dishonoring the Sabbath (working hard to keep up with others), lying, stealing, adultery. Coveting leads to evil.
We can all find ourselves Dream Walking from time to time. We want the bigger house like Susan, the successful kids like Terry, the greener lawn like Mike, the luxury car like Frank, a happy marriage like the Smith’s. And if we aren’t careful, our Dream Walking will lead us to some dark places.
I wonder how many marriages have failed, friendships ended, children estranged because of Dream Walking?
So what is the biblical solution? Here are a few biblical principles to help, the next time you find yourself Dream Walking.
1. Be grateful. List what you like about your life. Meditate on those things. Speak of those things. Give thanks to God for what He has given you.
2. Be Generous. Take your focus off your perceived lack and give to others who are less fortunate than you.
3. Be trusting. Trust God is for you and not against you. Trust His love for you is truly enough.
4. Be content. Find joy where you are. Stop looking for the next thing to make you happy.
5. Be a good steward. Manage what the Lord has already entrusted to you well.
Friends, let’s stop Dream Walking (Spoiler Alert: No one has a perfect life) and begin Dream Living, enjoying the life you have been given with all its ups and downs!
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.””
Hebrews 13:5 NKJV