Something I’ve been intentionally trying to do recently is dream. Dream about the future. Dream about the possibilities. Dream about what could be and what I want and all the wild things that could happen in my life.
Dreaming is something that’s actually really hard for me. And I think it tends to be discouraged in life as a “childlike” thing to do. Something I’ve taken pride in is the fact that I think very realistically, but I’ve actually been learning that dreaming with Jesus is one of the coolest things ever. Also learning that sometimes my realistic thinking has kept me from making the steps of faith that are required at times in my relationship with Him to receive the good things He wants to give me. I think I’ve always avoided dreaming because I’ve been hurt when my expectations of situations or people aren’t met. After enough hurt from missed expectations, somewhere along the way I just decided to stop dreaming and play it safe. I’m also really afraid of failing, so the risks required when it comes to dreaming and working towards dreams seem incredibly daunting. I’ve been living life the past few years, not allowing myself to think beyond the absolutely realistic. I like plan out my future to be easily achievable, and tend to avoid most situations where I could fail. Which is fine. But that’s not what living in the fullness of His goodness looks like at all.
Choosing to go on the race was actually one of the first big dreams I’d acted on in a long time. And even then, I refused to consider a gap year (because it wasn’t realistic haha) until Jesus made it loud and clear to me. So it really ended up being more of a situation of obedience than working towards a dream or desire. But still, there was the constant fear of this decision “ruining” my life or my future.
Since being on the race I’ve met a lot of big dreamers. People who are always thinking about what could be next or what crazy thing they can work towards. Honestly, at first, these people were a bit confusing to me. I couldn’t understand how their minds worked, or where the newest crazy idea in their minds could come from. I really didn’t get it, and I really was confused how they could even think about something when reality was pointing a different direction. Really truly thought these people were crazy until they started to teach me so much. I started to see how they weren’t just making things up in their heads, but they were dreaming with God. They were walking in a childlike faith and wonder, and really believing the truth that He is limitless and can do the absolutely impossible. They were finding out the desires that He’d placed in their hearts, and dreaming of the possibilities, and also stepping out in faith and risking to work towards those dreams. There was the expectation that He was going to move and provide, but also the open handed surrender of their own desires for His.
I’ve seen these dreaming friends of mine have dreams come to pass and also not turn out how they expected or desired. But because their dreams are always rooted in the reality and truth of who He is, when dreams aren’t met instead of devastation, there’s trust in Him and the safety to continue dreaming.
Dreaming is so cool! It’s a piece of God in us that really captures His power to do the impossible and His heart to give us the desires of our hearts (when they’re in alignment with His desires). Also God usually works in ways that we don’t understand so human “reason” actually isn’t the same thing as thinking realistically with God. Dreaming is really a way of acknowledging that our reality is different because of who our God is.
He has given us the good desires in our hearts. He’s given us the talents and gifts and passions that we sometimes trade for a more realistic or failure free and “safe” life. He’s stirred up unique dreams in each of our hearts because He wants to use us all to bring kingdom in different ways. He’s also given us wisdom and discernment and when all these things work together in harmony I think that’s what a life of child like faith is.
So, through watching my friends here dream, I’ve been inspired to dream again. To really think about the passions and desires that He’s given me, and to stop limiting God or letting fear of failure and disappointment keep me from the real life He’s asking me to live. When you dream with God there’s actually no place for fear. If you can stand on the truth that He is good, then no matter what happens you’ll be able to stand firm (if your dreams come to be or not). It’s standing firm on the understanding that He is writing a story that’s bigger than all of us and better than even the best dream we can imagine.
In this new step of trying to learn how to dream again, I’ve encountered ups and downs. The familiar fear of being disappointed has tried to keep me from risky situations where things aren’t guaranteed to work out. The fear of failure has continued to try and keep me from stepping out into things that are difficult or new. But in all this, I’ve been learning how to better combine a life of discernment and wisdom with a life of dreaming big and bold. Both are gifts from Him that reflect His character and we need to start using both in our lives! Currently, a few of the dreams that I’ve been taking steps of faith towards, are actually coming to reality. And that’s crazy for me experience! Can’t wait to share what that looks like soon!
I am so tired of limiting God by what makes sense to me. I’m so tired of saying no to the desires He’s given me. And I’m really tired of the fear the enemy is trying to use to keep me from the wild goodness of my Father.
Keep on dreaming with Him people!
