February 13, 2009 @ 6:13 pm | Filed under: The Solid Rock

Dreaming comes easy to some folks – like me. It’s as much a part of the fabric of our being as our blue eyes or our eye for detail or any other single trait that makes us exactly who we are. Dreamers find inspiration in the most unlikely of places; better put, inspiration finds us.

For others, tapping into the dream is the hard part. Having the courage to pursue life, though, may come easier for these types. They believe in specific purposes and detailed plans and that “everything happens for a reason, but nothing happens without a plan.” Courage is always nearby; the hesitation only comes when courage is called to be front and center of something they have yet to truly see, and have only sensed.

I’m a true mixture of these two types. On some days I can run the gamut of letting my kite string out just as far as it will possibly go and clinging desperately to a safety net of plans and charts and deadlines. What I’m finding more and more is the freedom that comes with letting the kite go, with one hand firmly about the string and my two feet firmly planted to the ground.

Freedom is a gift directly from God. I believe He intends for us to live lives that are free. Not only free in Him, but free of doubt and free of fear. But freedom also means walking through gateways that we would ordinarily bypass. Freedom to explore new territory. Freedom to invest in new ventures or talents. Freedom to color outside of the lines from time to time, when appropriate.

I saw the following recently and it seemed to speak right along these lines. This morning, my feet are planted on terra firma, but my heart…

My heart is clutching big, over-size crayons – in all my favorite hues – and it is exuberantly coloring outside of the lines!

Find time to spend with God. Ask Him to show you how to make the most of your potential.

Research the area you want to pursue. For example if you desire to develop your talent in art, discover what’s available at your local community college, or call art supply shops for information about classes.

Expect to make adjustments to your schedule. Focusing on God’s calling for your life will not be easy. Make a list of your daily responsibilities and decide which are important and which ones are simply time consumers. Also, decide which duties follow the path God has called you to. Sometimes even good things are not the right things. You may teach Sunday School and run the food ministry, but perhaps that leaves you unable to follow a deeper desire which is to work with the elderly.

Enjoy the process of striving toward your dream. Oswald Chambers says, “We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not. . . . What we call the process, God calls the end.”

Delight in each step you take toward your dream. Just as your to-do list is never complete, you will never “arrive.” Develop relationships with others who share the same talents and goals. Be available for encouragement and prayer.

Openly communicate your dreams to your family, and ask them to do the same. Brainstorm ways to help each other reach toward God’s best.

Make daily appointments with God to insure you are on the right track. Many of us have the tendency to take our dreams and run toward a direction God never intended. Spend time in Bible study and prayer to make sure you are fulfilling God’s purposes. It is in His presence that your dreams combine with His to find that “. . . he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6) NIV.

After all, completing God’s plan should be our greatest goal and the best reason to dare to dream.