"The truth is not that God is finding us a place for our gifts but that God has created us and our gifts for a place of his choosing--- and we will only be ourselves when we are finally there."
Os Guinness, The Call Sometimes in the process of pursuing our dreams progress can seem slow. It is easy to wonder whether our dreams are real, or are they just that--- simply a "dream." It is also easy to feel as though nothing is happening, or to wonder whether we have truly found God's dream for our lives. Do you ever find yourself experiencing these feelings? If so, it could be time to go back and take a look again at what I call "the basics". For our interests, the basics relate to the desires of our heart, to God's purposes, to faith and trust, to joy, to success, and to living an abundant life. I find it exciting that there isn't a thing about our everyday lives that isn't covered when we look at Gods promises. I am amazed at not just the inspirational, but the practical truth principles and hope given, if we but believe and do what is required of us. First: The Importance of Your Heart's Desires
We were created to do "good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Eph.2:10) Who we are and why we are here-- God's purposes for us-- are revealed through our heart's desires. Such desires are the map to find a meaningful life. They are the seeds that God has planted in the DNA of our being. They contain His dream for our lives. The challenge is understanding and recognizing a God-given leading and dream. Then stepping out in faith to see that dream flower and come to fruition. God wants to give you "the desires of your heart" as you delight in Him. (Ps. 37:4) "May he give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed." (Ps. 20:4) These promises express that God is involved in, and concerned with, the very things that we eagerly long for and wish to see fulfilled. He is "in the trenches" with us. Some Questions to Answer
Have you really looked for the deep heart passions that reside in you, looked at what they could mean, or asked God how they could be used to benefit others and honor God? (Another way to say this is: Have you asked God where you can join Him in a "work" He has for you to do?) Have you made a list of activities or opportunities that could embrace your heart motivations and meet the needs of others? After exploring these options, have you decided on the dream that won't let go--- even though it may not be the "logical" dream for you to pick? This dream gives you a feeling of peace in spite of logic or circumstances. When you open the door that contains that plan, you somehow know. It represents the seed idea or vision God has for your life. It may surprise you, or even seem overwhelming. Don't let that discourage you. In Summary
God's dream for us will always be bigger than we are. To go with an under-sized dream that you think you can handle, most likely means you can do it on your own. It can also mean a compromise, trading risk for security. Realize that a God-given dream is meant to stretch us and to grow us to become all we have been designed to be! We need a Partner for that kind of dream and challenge. Therefore, don't be deterred by the size of your dream. It is not based on your adequacy. It is based on the size of the need, on God's plans for you, and on a BIG God! Second: The Growing of Your Dream
The next challenge is to go forward trusting that God is leading and directing. If you believe you have found God's dream for you, ask that the seed of that dream be watered in keeping with His purposes. It will be a journey of faith, but I think it is that way intentionally and is a good thing. Our dreams are being shaped while our character is being developed to match our dream. In other words, as our dream is growing, so we too are growing in knowledge, wisdom, and in trust. We are learning a lot about the dream we are following, and we are learning a lot about ourselves as well. That learning process is necessary. (God isn't finished with us yet!) There may be times of waiting, times of incubation, (see What is Happening to My Dream?: The Stages of a Dream, September 2003 http://www.followyourheart.info/articles/art200309pr.html ) and the possibility that our dream is either "off-course" or being re-directed. This requires a sensitivity to timing, to doors of opportunity opening or not, to changes that might need to be made, and to paths opening before us that we hadn't planned on taking. All these factors could have their reasons. Banging a door down because of a desire to go ahead at any cost, is most often to go against a better judgment. There are reasons doors don't open. If God "goes before us", and it is His will, the doors will open for us. More Questions to Answer
If you have, or are experiencing some of the above, stop and ask "Why?" or "What can I do?" Look at what is happening and perhaps write down what you perceive is taking place. Take some time to think about it. Look for lessons you could learn, help you could get, new directions you hadn't thought of, or changes you could make. Talk with others, or with those who have experience in your area of interest. Ask God for clarity and guidance. Sometimes, as we pointed out, it can be a simple matter of timing. I have seen this happen-- an idea or dream and "open door", two years later than was originally planned. But in the meantime, the dream has also grown. In Summary
God has promised to help. He is a partner in our dreams. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Prov. 3:5-6) We are told to trust, to not lean on our own understanding, to acknowledge God in everything--- and He will direct our path. Are we doing all these things and experiencing the guidance we desire for our lives? "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Cor.9:8) (Emphasis mine.) Are we experiencing this kind of provision? One way is to commit our "work" and our needs to the Provider. In closing, next month we will continue talking about some of the basics--- about God's promises concerning joy and abundance, and about our dream's fulfillment. Happy dream journey, Judy Peterson Copyright 2006 - Judy Peterson. All Rights Reserved. |
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