Originally published Monday, 03 October 2011.
I’ve always been a dreamer.
The dreams I had as a little girl seemed simple and sweet. To become a wife, a doctor, a mommy, a vet, a flight attendant and a teacher -- in one lifetime -- were the dreams I once held close.
The dreams I have today as a grown woman seem complicated and trying. A strong marriage, raising God-seeking kids, helping end poverty and to spur Truth to this generation are just a few of my grown-up dreams.
But after rejections, trying circumstances or a long season of waiting, it is easy to start to wonder, Are these dreams in my heart really from God?
Truthfully, I don’t completely know how to answer this and I know there are others struggling through this too. We know God has great plans for our lives [Jer 29:11] but we also know that as humans we can become filled in our flesh.
In the season of waiting for the promises of God to be fulfilled, discouragement becomes strong. So, to push through my own discouragement today, here are some things I’m thinking about:
#1: If God is for it, then it's of Him.
We are a culture in need of an accurate view of what God is for.
God is not for greed, hate, jealousy, anger, bitterness, pride, selfish gain or deceit. So if any of the dreams in our hearts bring out these attributes in us, most likely … it is not of God.
God is for love, goodness, generosity, mercy, forgiveness, kindness and the expansion of the gospel. No matter how big, crazy sounding or wild our dreams are … if these things are represented, God is in it.
“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?” -Romans 8:31
#2: God-dreams are engaged, not isolated.
Every day God-dreams are on the verge of ending.
Shocking statistics tell us that 90% of people who begin following God’s purpose for their lives will give up before they complete the tasks. As much as I don’t want to ever be apart of that percentage, I’m sure I already have been.
I’ve given up on God before He’s even had a chance to work because I needed to have things my way. My dreams were isolated. I’ve learned the hard way, I cannot bring my agenda to God and ask Him to bless it.
Maybe it would help to remember how much is at stake because we need things our way?
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. (Isaiah 55:8)
#3: You may feel alone at first, but God will build a community around you.
As we pursue God dreams in our hearts people will discourage us. They may not do this intentionally but Satan needs us discouraged and will sometimes use those closest to us to bring us down.
You may have people that you thought would be friends forever with leave your side as you walk towards your dream. God created us with a need for community and when we feel alone, we will feel discouraged.
God always starts a movement of Him with one person but it always ends up with a community built around it. Know that your season of loneliness won’t stay forever. Be open to those God is bringing to you. He just may use the most unlikely person in your life.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
You are a recipient of a dream from God.
I don’t know who this is for today, but you need to know that God is ready to move forward. Take inventory today. What do you have in your hands that God wants to use?
I know this can be scary, but I shared my dreams with you and now I want to hear your dreams. What’s in that heart of yours? Leave a comment and let's dream …
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