Seeing A God-Sized Dream to Completion – Part 1
Do you have a dream or a vision for your life that seems way out of reach?
Do phrases like, “I must be crazy! There’s no way! It would be impossible!” ever fire across your brain?
Does your dream feel more like a liability than a blessing as years pass and it remains unshaped and without form?
My own God-sized dream has often led me to discouragement and self-defeat instead of into the joy and dependent trust God intended. I can become overcome by self-deprecating whispers, reminding me of my inadequacies and minimizing God’s infinite source of strength. The course toward my dream has often been a journey of fits and starts, but God has used His Word and the examples of those who have lived out their dreams before me to point me back on course.
Over the next couple of blog posts, I’ll share a simple pathway carved for every one of us who carries a God-sized dream and yearns to see it through to completion. We will examine the life of a man who lived 1000s of years before us, a man whose life runs a strikingly close parallel to every one of us in our 21st century who would dare to embrace her God-sized dream!
His name was Nehemiah.
In a book of the Bible named after the man himself, we witness Nehemiah’s solid footprints as he shaped his dream into reality.
1. The Dream was birthed with a question: Nehemiah cared enough to ask.
His brother and friends came to visit him at the palace where he served the king. He hadn’t been home in a long time and his dream came to life when he asked a simple question:
I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, “Things are not going well…They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” When I heard this, I sat down and wept. (Nehemiah 1:1-4)
Question: Has a dream surfaced in your own soul through an awakened awareness of a need? Often our own painful past births a passion towards a particular targeted need. God-sized dreams will always point our lives toward others. They will definitely bring us joy, but only as they bring others good.
2. The Dream deepened through prayer: Nehemiah prayed – In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven… 11 O Lord, please hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you. Please grant me success today by making the king favorable to me. Put it into his heart to be kind to me….Nehemiah 1:4b, 11
Question: Have you committed your dream to prayer? Have you asked for God’s direction and favor? Proverbs declares, “God determines our steps.” The word determines means He sets them firmly in place. He prepares, He provides, He makes every step a secure one!
One writer states, “Without prayer, the best we can do is the best we can do; but when we pray, the best we can do is the best God can do!”
3. The Dream was planned with patience: Nehemiah waited
In late autumn,….his brothers gave the report. Early the following spring… he shared the reason for his sorrow with the king.
According to this account at least four months of prayerful planning took place before Nehemiah ever breathed a word of it to anyone. He carried the burden for his people with him daily, counting the cost of what it would mean to walk out this dream. He would have to leave his secure position in the palace to venture into the unknown with God.
Question: Have you counted the cost, determined the need, and prayerfully planned?
Through prayer you will begin to have God ideas instead of just good ideas. You will receive confirmation of His timing (as we will see next week) for every step toward our dream.
Nehemiah asked……He prayed…….He waited!
Picture God’s pace like the current of a river. I don’t want to put a wet suit on and try to out-swim the current, but neither do I want to stand on the banks all suited up but too insecure to step into the river. I simply want to abide in God’s presence by stepping into the current, and rest in the perfect pace and accurate timing of His movement. God will get us where His plans and purposes intend for us to go if we’re courageous enough to join Him!
Beauty Awaits…
Patty
PS In the last post I invited individuals to share ways they refuel their soul. Here were some that were generously shared with us. Thank you ladies!
I took your advice and took a walk to honeysuckle beach. … the fall colors and Gods beauty were everywhere. Saw multiple deer. A father and son fishing together. Even an older gentlemen trying out a new pair of waders. God is good. (Kim Roth)
“Going to the mountains, taking in the quiet, and enjoying God’s artistry through the beauty of His creation.” (Connie Lloyd)
God’s painting (Connie Lloyd)
“…. loving my family’s new home away from home & a good drive w/Jesus.” (Krishma Kedia)
“I love being outdoors, and I was able to go on an awesome hike on Canfield mountain with my sister.” (Sarah Peters)
My God-size dream humbles me, as I hear His gentle and consistent affirming whisper, “It’s what I made you for”, in response to my own negative self-talk and protests of inadequacy. The conversation between He and I always ends with Him reminding me, “You can do all things through Me who strengthens you. My grace covers you. My power is made perfect in your weakness.” My God-size dream is God-size, because He is my amazing Dream Giver. He will see it through to completion… Psalm 37:4-6
Thank you Patty… your words are always a fresh breath of love and inspiration.
Laurice, God’s strength and power are on incredible display in your life as you have trusted Him enough to rely on His strength and believe that He is Able. Your faith has been a huge inspiration to me!
I know that my Lord is brewing a dream to write and I need to be at the right place to listen to His loving urgings! Step by step with the Lord-not my timing, not my planning but His. Love you Patty!