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Dream.
Just the word spurs our imagination. And while we’re at it, if we’re going to dream, why not do it in a big way? Isn’t that the purpose–to envision something extraordinary?
I’ve always said:
Goals are something I try to realistically shoot for with God’s help.
Dreams, however, are something beyond the tangible, but completely possible with the One who moves mountains.
As life ebbs and flows we should press on toward our goals, but we should never ever let anyone discourage us from thinking with a miracle mindset!
Our dreams sustain us when the “pressing on” becomes too difficult. When reality bears down with unrelenting force.
There was a time my goals were sidelined. I could barely go through the motions of everyday life, let alone dream. Circumstances demanded I focus my attention on the issue at hand. At the time, that meant caring for one of our children who was gravely ill. (You can read more about that here.)
And yet…
Somewhere deep inside I carried that seed of something more. Something big. Something God-ordained.
Of course, my first and foremost dream revolved around our child’s health. That God would restore our son physically.
In addition, I yearned to pursue the career path that I’d dreamed about since I was seven. (And let me tell you, I dreamed in a big way!) I didn’t know how it was going to happen or when, but it was a dream that refused to die, sustained only by embers of hope.
And I refused to be daunted.
I think that’s the common thread that binds dreamers together.
We shun discouragement.
Doesn’t mean we’re never discouraged. It means we don’t place ourselves in the path of discouragement if given the choice.
I’ll admit–sometimes, that’s a hard one–and we have to re-train our thinking. But it can be done when we’re proactive about it. (Sometimes, we have to plow through the junk. There’s just no other way. But if you deal with chronic complainers or joy-stealers on a frequent basis, I have some thoughts for you.)
I loved Wendy Lawton’s blog post yesterday. (Be sure and read her post in its entirety. Especially if you’re a writer. She shared some great insights and I could not have agreed more.)
Dreamers have experienced challenges, tests, and hardships, and we’ve not abandoned ship.
Despite the worst, we believe in God’s best.
To go a step further, big dreamers not only believe in God’s best, we believe it’s still ahead and we prepare for it!
It’s not lunacy.
It’s faith! (Hebrews 11:1)
So, why dream big?
- It motivates us.
- It creates momentum.
- It encourages others.
- It develops our mettle.
- It prompts success.
- It pleases God.
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What’s your BIG dream? (We’d love to cheer you on!)
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Blessings Always,
Comments 7
Some mornings – like this one – it feels like dreaming big is the most stupid thing I can possibly do. Pointless. Never live to see it.
And that’s precisely why dreams should be nurtured and supported. They carry that seed of unquenchable hope that is present in all of, but too often lies dormant.
The big dream of…well, whatever…isn’t only mobilized on its own account. It pulls everything up along with it. It can give back the will to live.
I’ve seen guys with their guts shot out, walking ten miles to a heli extraction, because they wanted to live, they wanted to reach for something beyond the present moment. And they survived.
And I’ve seen a guy with his hand blown off, dying of that totally manageable wound because he couldn’t face life one-handed. He was a nice kid, didn’t have much in the way of dreams for the future. I will always think that killed him.
Dreams are life. And it doesn’t even matter if we reach them. Moses didn’t, but look at Israel today!
I’ll reiterate what I mentioned in Wendy’s blog yesterday – that we have a shoebox God, who collects pieces of string too short to use – our unfulfilled dreams.
And from them He will one day make a rope strong enough to pull the world to the broad, sunlit uplands.
Author
Andrew, such inspiring thoughts (and beautiful, heart-wrenching words). Your take on life always puts things into perspective–I’m in awe of your perseverance.
Never abandon your dreams, friend! (You are touching and changing so many lives in this world. You’ve no idea how God is using you to encourage others).
Thank you for your service to our great nation! Blessings all over you and Barbara today and always!
Cindy, thank you so much. Writing is the most humbling thing I’ve ever done – to have people I’ll never meet say that I’ve made a difference…wow.
I’ll never give up, because I’d be letting so many people down. The thing I’ve learned is that my dreams, if they come from God, are not about me at all. They’re a duty, a responsibility to fill in my part of the glorious painting which commission God has given to mankind.
God bless you!
Author
Andrew, perhaps one day our paths will cross at the ACFW conference! Until then, press on!
If I live that long, I intend to be at ACFW in St. Louis.
And I intend to live that long.
Author
Andrew, of course you will! And your writing friends look so forward to meeting you in person!
Praying blessings over you…
Will prevail