From the archives March 18, 2010:
Are you holding on to your BIG dreams! So am I. I wrote this two years ago and my big dream back then was to get published. Nine months after writing this I was offered a contract for a novella. Not my ideal publishing scenario, but I’ve learned not to despise the small things. I thought it’d be interesting to revisit this post and share my thoughts today at the end!
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about dreams and working hard to achieve them? A part of me believes whole heatedly in never giving up on your dreams, the other part of me wonders if the price is really worth it…if the realization of that dream will actually come to pass. If I have what it takes to carry it through to the end.
I’ve been dreaming BIG dreams my entire life, yet the only dreams that ever come to pass are the little ones. Is it because of MY effort? Am I not trying hard enough? But if I try harder, then something in my life will be out of balance. Seems a bit like works mentality to me, and that I can make it happen. Where’s God’s will in all this dreaming?
I don’t care how hard you work, you might NEVER reach your dreams. Your dreams, the dreams you think are God’s dreams might not really be HIS dream for you. That’s where I’m at right now. I’ve spent over 30 years dreaming big. Sometimes I wish I could be happy, content with small dreams. Where are you in your dream cycle?
2012, Two years later:
I haven’t given up and I haven’t stopped dreaming big dreams, but I still have doubts whether my BIG dreams will happen. I have yet to see a full length novel, though my agent believes in 100% and is presently shopping around two of my manuscripts. If they don’t sell will I give up? Nope! I might take a breather, but I’ll keep writing.
Do I still doubt if all the work is worth it?
On my low days. But most days I don’t think about it. I don’t even think about why I’m writing anymore. I just do it. I still have BIG dreams and goals, but it’s not up to me whether or not they will come to past. I’m starting to see that it’s not so much what I accomplish, but what God accomplishes IN me a long the way.
Do I wish my journey was short and sweet, that someday soon I’ll arrive? Yep, but that’s not for me to decide either. Only God knows my path and how long it will take and as for me, my prayer of late has been “show me the next step.” My BIG dreams are still in the horizon, but I’m not focusing on them as much as I am looking down at where God wants me to follow…his next step for me!
What are you looking at as your travel this road?
Lord, help me focus on the next step instead of an unknown future. Help me to rest in your shadow as you walk beside me, showing me the next step!
Amen
