Are you a dreamer? I am! I have struggled with how big I dream up things for my life and most times think that I am too old to try to make my dreams a reality. Or they are dreams because that is what they meant to be and nothing more. A couple of years ago I was chasing a BIG dream for a short time. During that time someone told me that I had a better chance of winning American Idol than seeing my dream come true.
I had the privilege of going to the American Idol Concert Tour last night in Grand Prairie. First of all let me get this out... The most exciting night ever!!! It was pure fun from the time we all loaded up in the car till the time we got home at 1 in the morning.
During the concert I remembered what that person said to me about having a better chance of doing what the people on stage were doing. In a cheesy montage kind of way I thought about Kree and all that she has shared of her journey to this point and Angie, how she stayed true to herself and took a stand for Christ and Candice and Janelle, how they tried out multiple times before they made it! As I watched all of these ladies they looked like they were born to be on that stage. How cool is it that they are not so intimidated by the large scale of their dream and they just went for it?!
Watching this talented group of people see their dreams become a reality reminded me of my own dreams. I wonder if any of you, like myself feel like you are not good enough to chase your big dreams. Or maybe you think you have out dreamed Gods plans for your life. I know I have thought that before.
I have spent a lot of time thinking about dreams, plans and goals and for lack of better words, I have come up with a "check list". I want to share it with you but I also want you to know that this is something that I myself am working on. I hope this encourages you and helps you.
1. Pray about your desires and give it to God. Pray, Pray, Pray. Trust God, Trust God, Trust God. When you give it to God you know that when it happens, it will be His plan for your life and that is perfection.
2. Consider your dream in the context of your talents. If you want to be a stand up comedian but can not ever get the punch line right then you might want to reconsider. Now I completely understand that God uses unlikely people so I will add a disclaimer: if you have prayed about your dream and you still feel that it is something that you should pursue AND it will further the kingdom then go for it:)
4. Know what it is you want to accomplish. My dream career is to work with teenage girls. I want to help them "survive" their teenage years and point them to Christ through all of it. I have ideas of how that could happen the obvious one is doing what I went to school for- teaching and coaching. Of course I have a bigger dream for how this could be done and I have ideas of others ways I could achieve it. But I have left it all to God.
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5. Allow your dreams to change with your life seasons. When I was single I knew that if I remained single after college that I would move to another country and be a missionary. Now that Andrew and I have gotten married we both agree that we are right where God has lead us as a couple. Do not bitterly hold on to old dreams.
Most importantly keep this in mind through it all...
The Lord makes firm the steps of those who delight in Him.
Psalms 37:23
To humans belong the plans of the heart,
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.
Proverbs 16:1
Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans.
and he will establish your plans.
Proverbs 16:3
I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
