Dreams. An airy fairy Disney film concept or something of vision, creativity and power? Growing up, we’re not taught about the power and passion behind our dreams. People who gaze out of windows are labelled ‘dreamers‘ and laughed at. ‘Dreamers‘ are often seen as out of touch, weak and even weird. That’s not what I mean when I talk about dreaming. I’m talking about dreams that rise up from deep inside you. Your visions for your future and the futures of others. Your hopes that are rooted so deep down that even the strongest winds can’t tear them down.
So you’ve got a dream – now what? What can we do to ensure that we see our dreams come to pass, that we don’t lose hope or interest and that our path is in line with what God has planned for us? Two words: PATIENCE & WAIT. Things don’t happen overnight. Change isn’t instant. You won’t finish a marathon without months of training.
Here are some practical things that we can draw on to help us be patient when waiting on our dreams and playing our role in their delivery.
Don’t compromise your dream
Dreaming big dreams will often lead to us being misunderstood. When you dream big in life, it’s often in a different way to the rest of crowd. We can be laughed at, ridiculed and mocked. Negative attitudes can start to creep in – laziness, arrogance and complacency. It’s at this point when we need to be at out most determined and focused. You need to swim against the tide. Even dead fish can go downstream – we need to be moving upstream, swimming with all our might, pushing as hard as we can, until we reach our finish. Your visions and dreams will give you the staying power that you need.
If God has said it, He will do it
God doesn’t break His word. If God has told you something then it WILL come to pass. God has a plan for your life. He is master of your dreams, your passions and your future. We need to learn to put every ounce of our trust in God. Taking matters into our own hands will not bring our dreams to completion any quicker, as tempting as it may be. We need to trust God – spend time with Him, getting into the Bible and doing what He asks of us in order to see our dreams realised.
Be aware of the price and be shock proof
Dreams aren’t free – they will cost each of us something. Some people can’t handle the price and end up dreaming the same dreams year after year. Be someone who will pay the price. Get shock proof – continue to trust God despite the various struggles and assassins that your dream journey may face. When disappointment, discouragement, worry and fear try to pull the rug from under your feet, stand firm, keep your balance and fight on.
The story of Joseph in the Bible is a perfect example of someone who believed in his dreams, patiently waited on God and didn’t give up. He didn’t compromise his dream. He spent 13 years in prison and still didn’t doubt God. He showed patience, integrity and staying power. Joseph was in it for the long haul. Joseph’s dreams cost him greatly. It cost him his father, his brothers, his job and his reputation. God took what was wanted for evil and used it for good and he can and will do the same for us. Joseph’s access to the palace was through the pit – and due to his determination, focus and trust in God, he got there and was lifted up to a position of power, above anything he could have imagined.
That’s the kind of dreamer I want to be.
Written by Jess Wilson
TweetMe @MsJessWilson