Stop for a moment and think back to when you were a child. Do you remember all the dreams you had? Maybe you dreamt of being a major league baseball player, or a famous singer, or an actress. Then life hit and reality set. You began to look at numbers, statistics, and slowly your dream began to die. In fact, perhaps you quit dreaming at all and settled for the easy, the predictable, the nine-to-five. Which isn’t bad. Predictability and rational thinking puts food on the table.

But what if … God has more planned? Great works which He prepared—for you—in eternity past.

A few weeks ago, I told you about the Lifeway editor who’d always wanted to be a missionary to India. That’s a specific dream. In many ways, an unrealistic dream. And as the years ebbed by, and she watched others join the mission field, perhaps she thought she’d missed her chance. She turned forty, and her hair began to gray. She turned fifty, and her energy waned. Then came sixty, and seventy, and retirement followed. Retirement. The end of productivity, of dreams. She turned eighty when many her age moved to nursing homes. Some died.

And this was where her dream emerged, only not in the way she expected. Oh, no. God’s plan was much more glorious! At eighty years old, God showed her she had a new work to do. She began to write for Christ to the World Ministries and today her dramas broadcast across the globe. Instead of reaching one small village, one small city, God opened doors and helped her to reach an entire country! Not just one country, in fact, but 32, through radio waves.

What’s your dream? Why are you here? What does God want to do through you? Dream big, my friend!

It doesn’t matter how old you are, how many times you’ve “failed”. It’s not about your talent, your strength, your wisdom. It’s about drawing near to God and surrendering to the dream He’s birthed within you.

Psalm 18:31-36 (NLT)

God arms me with strength,
and he makes my way perfect.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
He trains my hands for battle;
he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
You have given me your shield of victory.
Your right hand supports me;
your help has made me great.
You have made a wide path for my feet
to keep them from slipping.

If God’s behind you, there’s nothing you can’t do. He will perfect the plans He has for you.

I join with Paul in “asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of His call. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11

Dream big and move forward in confidence, but keep a lose hold on the reins. If God birthed the dream, He WILL bring it about. But it may not be in the way you expected. He may have something even better in mind.

We know God will only bless those things that are consistent with His will. So, how can you tell if your dream’s from God? Come back Tuesday to read Henry McLaughlin’s thoughts on discerning God-given dreams.

Let’s talk about this!

Join me at Living by Grace as we talk about those long-forgotten dreams buried beneath rational thinking and what God might want to do with them.

Not to sound cliché’, but it’s an important question to ask: What might you attempt if you knew you could not fail? As you think about that, remember the power of the God who stands behind you. Remember His promises recorded in Scripture. All things are possible with Him. It is not by power nor by might, but by His Spirit. You are more than a conqueror. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You have the mind of Christ. Your cloud of witnesses are watching, cheering in expectant anticipation.