Wednesday, June 3, 2009

dreams

"'Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops."- Matthew 10:27

I'm a pretty big fan of dreaming big dreams (not the sleeping kind, the "life" kind). I firmly believe that God gives every person very specific wishes, desires, dreams, and goals and He does it for a purpose. If you read Psalm 139 it is quite clear that the Lord has a plan for every life (or if, like the rest of the world, you read Jeremiah 29:11 out of context). I like to think that God accomplishes His plan when we follow and pursue the dreams He grants us. I will never understand why people walk away from their heart's desire and settle for something less. Don't get me wrong, I understand that life happens and sometimes interferes. I definitely understand there are bills to pay, mouths to feed, responsibilities, and difficult choices to make. I also understand that my Father is bigger than all of those things and that He can do absolutely anything He chooses. So why do we settle when we could walk in faith? God is far too powerful and creative for that. I absolutely adore the fact that He is a God of diversity and He is multi-dimensional. I love that He gives everybody different hopes, dreams, abilities, and opportunities. I love that one person's "great" may be somebody else's "mediocre." And I love most that He makes a way. Nothing is too big for my God.
However, let's clarify. This is not a "name it and claim it" kind of thing. I'm not saying that God grants us every little thing we may ask for, but when our will is in accordance with His will and when it's His perfect timing He answers. Notice that I said our will lines up with His, not the other way around. In my experience, the Lord knows far better what He's doing in and with my life than I do.
My main point is an exhortation to never give up. Let us be a people who do not bury our dreams and walk away from the desires of our hearts because they are there for a reason. Let us be a generation that consults with the Lord about the dreams He gives us. I hope that we ask for a passion and when He gives us one that we follow it. I pray that someday we'll stop making excuses, grow some faith, and step out trusting that God knows exactly what He's doing.