A Football Dream: Passing Down the Legacy

The other day I went to a football game with my dad. If you asked him about it, he probably would deny it. No, my father is not embarrassed to be associated with me. This event happened in a dream. Although, I have been to a game with my dad in real life it is not a common occurrence. I follow football fairly closely my dad has never been too interested in the gridiron. A psychologist may take this dream as sign of some latent desire to connect with my father with activity that I wished that he would do with me. That would be a pile of nonsense. On to the dream to see the real meaning.

The Dream

In the dream my dad and I are sitting on a bench outside of high school football stadium before the game and I noticed a monument. At the top of the monument is Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana and his passing statistics. The monument sloped downward and had more quarterbacks with their stats throughout the years. Looking at it I realized the school was commemorating their history of excellence in quarterback play. There were some older gentlemen standing in front of us and my father engaged them in conversation. He mentioned that I loved the four-wide style of football that this team played. As I mentioned my dad is not a football fan so his use of terminology in the game was odd. This is a clue in dream interpretation. If something is strange, out of proportion or out of place take notice. Something is hidden there. At the time, the meaning “four-wide style of football” is hidden from me, but I will continue to seek the Lord to look for what He is saying. Even with training and some understanding not all dreams will be clear immediately. Edit: Nearly a year and a half later, I believe I have greater insight on “four-wide style of football.” I haven’t thought about this dream since I originally wrote this post, but taking a fresh look at it has given me new insight. I believe my father speaking of my love for the “four-wide” is in reference to my four children. The entire dream speaks of generations which you will see as you read on.

The Interpretation

The first part of the dream is clear. It is indicating that there are generational accomplishments being passed down. The monument and the statistics of the quarterbacks speak of that. Also, the fact that I am with my father gives a clue that the dream is about generations. The older gentleman are another hint that those that go before us have something to leave to the rest of us. One other interesting element of the dream to take note of is the use of Joe Montana. Sports fans will recognize him as one of footballs greatest heroes. He is a good fit for a football dream but there is a hidden message in his name. First of all his name was at the top and his last name “Montana” means “mountain.” Joe is at the top of the mountain passing down his legacy to those below him.

Leaving a Legacy

For those that failed out of Sunday School, Joe is short for Joseph which is in the Bible. We know Joseph as one of our main dreamers and subjects matters in this book. His name in Hebrew means “Jehovah has added.” If you are not connecting the dots, yet ... God is adding to the generations. What God did in one generation He will add to the next. Our God dreams will always be generational. This is the way of God. He sees multiple generations at once.

And he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Exodus 3:6

God's plan for you includes adding to the advancements of those that went before you. The next generation will be adding on to what you do. He is moving from glory to glory in your life. We must ask ourselves, “What am I building that will last?” The dream implanted in your heart by your Heavenly Father is eternal in nature. The desires of this world are not. Every day we have a choice to make. Which inheritance am I passing down? One that is incorruptible or something that will only have minor benefits in this life. This dream pursuit we are on is the heavenly treasure kind. Nice houses, great jobs, fun-filled vacations, and relaxing retirements are all wonderful in their own right, but if that is the ultimate achievement of our lives, we are falling short of the mark.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Jesus is wise. Here's a little twist on that scripture. Your heart holds your treasure. Mine your heart for the treasure that God wants the world to see. The mission you were brought to earth to fulfill is there waiting to be unearthed and brought out into the light. God has so much He wants to do with this treasure in you.