Growing up as a little girl in a time when life was simple and uncomplicated there were many opportunities to daydream. Due to the lack of technology, all the neighborhood kids would gather outside and create various future living environments in tree forts and mounds of snow left behind by the snowplow. I have fond playtime memories of my cousin and I singing, dancing or acting out some random skit. It was in those long hours of unstructured play that I found myself dreaming of my prince charming and how many children I would have. I was certain my future profession would be a rock star or an actress so I could perform and show off my many talents (singing not being one of them) for hundreds of people.
Looking back now through a much older and clearer God centered lens, I can see how some of those dreams have unfolded. I married my prince charming and he is better than I imagined, especially since he’s not plastic. I also have two incredible daughters who never cease to amaze me as I watch them walk through life, take on challenges and fulfill their God given purpose. I didn’t become a rock star or actress per say, but I have had the opportunity to perform various skits and share the love of Christ to hundreds of people, especially children. It is fun to know that some of them think I am a rock star but more importantly, that God thinks I’m a rock star.
In this next season of my life God has been taking me on yet another, daydreaming, faith filled journey. He is challenging me to step out of my comfort zone, to take His hand and allow Him to lead me. That still small voice says “trust me, I will perfect those things that concern you.” But if I’m being transparent, and those who know me know that I can be nothing but transparent, I feel I often find that doubt, discouragement and distractions creep in often. Those feelings are especially strong when in the “natural” things don’t seem to happen as fast as I would like them to. He reminds me yet once again, that I am His daughter and He loves me. He whispers to my heart and reassures me that all things will work together for good because I love Him and I am called, according to His purposes for my life. I am reminded that my job is to trust Him, to listen to His Spirit as He leads me, to surrender and obey that still small voice so that I can somehow glorify Him with my life.
As I share these thoughts with girls and women from various walks of life, their stories and dreams are a little different, but the thread that connects them all is the same. It is a longing they have deep inside, a longing to make their life count for something. So what about you? When you’re all alone, and you quiet your mind, what is that one thing you still daydream about, where you say these words “some day I’m going to” or “one day I want to”? It’s that one thing you can’t let go of; it makes your face light up, your palms sweat and your heart beat faster just thinking about it. God has placed that dream within you, it’s the thing you were born to do, the reason why you were created and have breath in your lungs. It’s your God given purpose for living.
Psalm 139:16 says “your eyes saw my unformed body, all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Could it be that God created your purpose and then created you to fill that purpose?
When we look at how our sovereign God created everything with such detail I can’t imagine Him creating me, stepping back and asking himself, now what am I going to do with her? I firmly believe that there are no accidents; we were created on purpose and for a purpose that is tailor made just for us. When we walk in that purpose we accomplish our dreams, fulfill our destiny and glorify God with the gifts He has given us.
I challenge you to read all of Psalm 139 with the knowledge that the God who created you knows you intimately. He has written in a book, the days that He ordained for you before there was even one of them. He has a specific purpose and plan for your life.
Some of you might feel that your dream has morphed into something completely different as you journeyed through life. You never imagined yourself in the position you are currently in, good or bad. For others, it can feel as though the dream has died, trust me I know that feeling all to well. Could it be that maybe, just maybe, our sovereign God has been working behind the scenes orchestrating your every step. The Bible says He knows the plans that He has for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future. If you’re anything like me perhaps you have allowed obstacles, even good obstacles to get in the way of accomplishing your dream. Is it possible that you haven’t given much thought to this subject before but something has clicked in your head as you read these words?
Ask yourself this question, “What is it that I have always dreamed about doing?” Better yet, ask God these questions; God, what is my purpose, the reason you created me? What is it that you want to accomplish through me in this life?
I urge you to set aside some time to silence your mind, open your heart and be alone with your father, the one who created you on purpose and for a purpose. Crawl up in your daddy’s lap with child like faith and seek Him for wisdom and direction. As you do consider James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” This verse has a few promises in it that stand out to me.
- When you ask for wisdom God will give it to you, so make sure you are still long enough to hear His voice. You might not have the complete answer at that moment but I can guarantee you will find a peace that passes all earthly understanding. Keep seeking Him and His kingdom and He will direct your steps.
- There isn’t anything that you have EVER done that would cause God to love you less and disqualify you from the dream He has for you. If you’re anything like me you might need to read that sentence again. The verse says that God gives wisdom generously without finding fault. It is possible that there are things in your life that are not pleasing to Him and he is using this season to build your character, change your attitude and purge some of those heart issues in order to get you to the next level.
On thing I know for sure is that He is waiting for you. God desires to spend time with you so He can speak to your heart, direct your steps and lead you down the path that He has already prepared for you. Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, (masterpiece) created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
I believe there are three things that God would like to accomplish through this series
- I believe He wants to stir our hearts, and challenge us to seek Him for wisdom and direction concerning the dream that He has placed inside each of us.
- I believe He wants us to confront the obstacles that hinder us from accomplishing that dream, such as doubt, discouragement and distractions.
- I believe He wants to encourage us with practical, biblical steps to strengthen our faith and embolden our spirit in order to see the dream through.
Join us for part two in this series: Wisdom and Direction for the Dream
Feel free to share your thoughts on this topic or one thing you currently find yourself struggling with that hinders you from accomplishing your dreams. If you are discouraged today, I would be honored to pray with you. You can connect with me through one of my social media links or email karen@oneononeministry.org