DREAMING BIG

Well lately I've been writing more than I have since I was in University. And I'm really enjoying it. If fact I have an article that will be published in "Susie" magazine this summer so that's pretty cool (www.susiemagazine.com). This will be my first publication and I'm really looking forward to getting more of my writing out there. I've loved writing ever since I was in Jr. High. I remember starting to write my first devotional book when I was in grade 8. I never did finish it, but I've started working on another one, and it'll happen eventually.

Presently I'm working on an article called "Dream Big", the same title as this blog. It's sort of a life slogan/message I feel God has given me to carry. The idea that there is so much more to life that all we could ask, dream or imagine when we're following God. So I thought I'd include the article here. It's still a draft, but here goes.

Dream Big

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

“Dream Big!” These two words make my heart race because I believe they have the potential to change your life. God spoke these words to me several years ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about them since. They are words full of potential, excitement and hope. They are powerful words. In fact, every once in a while I see these words splashed across university promo posters or magazine ads for department stores. In fact the other day while shopping at Costco, I was shocked to see a book by Oprah entitled “Dream Big”. Not only was I shocked, but also disappointed because I believe these words deserve so much more. When the world says “Dream Big” it means dream about the big house you could have, or the beautiful things you could fill it with. Or maybe, dream about being on the Oprah show one day, because then you’ll really have arrived. But the idea of “Dreaming Big” wasn’t thought up by humans who are trying to inspire and motivate other humans. This idea represents a promise God gave us through his word, over 2000 years ago.

Ephesians 3:20 says that God is able to do “immeasurably more” than all we can ask or imagine! We serve a God who enables us not only to dream big, but to actually see the fulfillment of big dreams in our lives! But how? I wish I could give you a ten-step program of how to make all your dreams come true, but I can’t. I can only repeat the steps God outlines for us in the bible, because His words are trustworthy and true. Here are a few of His truths that can guide us as we work towards our big dreams.

Step 1: Allow God to plant HIS dreams in you.

Psalm 37:4 says, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The first step to seeing your dreams come true is asking God to give you HIS dreams for you. I used to think this verse meant that if I spent enough time reading my bible and praying (delighting in the Lord) He would return the favor by giving me everything I wanted. I’ve since discovered that when we delight in God, he actually plants HIS dreams for the world, in us. Take some time to ask God what His dreams for you are. And believe me His ideas will be way better than the ones you could’ve thought up on your own!

Step 2: Be faithful in the little things.

Matthew 25:23: "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things.” Once God has planted His dreams in us, we often have to wait to see them fulfilled. However, this doesn’t mean we sit around watching TV, checking our Facebook pages and waiting for our Big Dream to come knocking. It means we look at our present circumstances - the “little things” God has put in front of us- and treat them as though they are our big dreams. Your school, friends, family and job are all things God asks you to be faithful with. Treat these things with as much importance and value as if they were your ultimate goals and God promises He will “put you in charge of many things”.

Step 3: Go after intimacy with God.

Matthew 22:37: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." In the end, nothing else matters besides knowing God. How well do you know Him? Do you realize His heart longs for you? Do you know He is jealous for you? Do you know He wants to speak to you? And most importantly, if you met him today, would you recognize Him? The greatest fulfillment we will ever experience, now or in eternity, comes by loving and being loved by God. There is no greater satisfaction than what we will feel when we see the unveiled face of our Creator, Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I think these lines from Hillsongs United say it well: "Though I have not seen him, my heart knows him well". Does your heart know him well? Take some time today to hang out with God. Tell him that you love Him and allow him to love you back.

Chasing after our dreams is part of the adventure of this life. However we are called to worship the dream-giver, not the dream. Let's not forget that as we pursue the abundant life God has promised us.