God-Sized Dreams

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20, NIV)

Have you ever had a thought or an idea pop in your head that immediately makes you wonder, “Hmm, where did that come from?” It could be something as simple as paying for someone’s coffee in line behind you or giving your spare change to someone on the street. Maybe it’s something bigger like a notion to go back to school after raising kids or quitting your salaried job to pursue a “hobby” that you’ve always felt was more of a dream than a reality. But when these big ideas come, it’s often easy to just brush them aside as “crazy talk.” How do you tell your husband that you want to go back to school in your 50s? How do you tell your parents or explain to your friends that you’ve quit your full-time, with benefits, job to explore and pursue a dream that’s been on your heart since you were a kid? It can be difficult when you find yourself trying to explain something that, from a worldly perspective, just doesn’t make much sense. Friends, if there has been one thing the Lord has been teaching me over the last couple of years, it’s this: when it’s a God-sized dream, it may not always make sense, but when He opens a door, it’s always worth it to take a step and see where He leads. I’d like to share a couple of stories with you today that I hope will encourage you to pause and give some thought to whatever your God-sized dreams may be.

It’s been over a year ago now, but one morning before work, I found myself listening to a pastor share his experience of God walking with him toward a dream that he had written down a number of years earlier. It was such a beautiful story of what it looks like to trust God with every little step on his journey, and he spent so much time highlighting God’s faithfulness throughout. This pastor emphasized the key to seeing his dream come to fruition were these things: writing it down, praying over the dream, sharing with a few close and trusted friends, and most importantly, continually pursuing God’s heart while waiting as God directed each and every step of his journey. Feeling inspired after listening to the message, I grabbed a notebook and wrote down a list of various “ideas” that had been swirling around in my head and heart for quite some time. There was something very surreal about creating a tangible list of dreams. This was truly the beginning of giving myself permission to begin believing in these God-sized dreams.

Another profound story revolves around me receiving a phone call from a friend telling me she had resigned from her position at work. While I was a bit shocked initially, after she and I discussed the situation further, it became very clear that, though she didn’t know exactly where the Lord would lead, He had certainly closed the door on her current situation. Talk about a scary place to be, right? She knew with clarity the Lord was leading her away from her current job, yet she truly had no idea what the next step would be. Some people may say she was crazy to walk away from a guaranteed job because she felt the Lord moving her in another direction, but I think it was courageous. Imagine making that type of decision? Though it was made on a bit of a whim, I knew this was a decision she had weighed in her spirit and had felt confident making, although it may not have made the most sense. I may not have fully expressed it to her at the time, but I was so proud of her commitment to hearing the Lord in making the decision to walk away from the job. Don’t get me wrong; it was a bit of a tumultuous and stressful next few months as she prayed, job searched, and waited for direction from the Lord about where He was leading her. I remember specifically meeting up one afternoon (mid-pandemic, outside on a beautiful sunny day when neither of us was working) and discussing our dreams. Admittedly, we were both in slightly different places, but it was such a special time. Our conversation was raw, open, and honest. Matthew 18:20 was certainly on display that day: For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (NIV), as we each expressed our doubts and fears while encouraging one another to continue pursuing those dreams the Lord has placed on our hearts.

Fast forward some time later, and though neither of us has seen any of those dreams fully come to pass, we continually talk about ways He is moving in our lives. Small breakthroughs, unexpected opportunities, and whispers of affirmation let us know He is guiding us as we continue to move. And most importantly, through all of this, we have experienced the Lord in ways we never would have imagined. Though there are periods of drought where it seems God is silent, we know that doesn’t mean He is not at work. Day after day, week after week, month after month, we continue pausing to hear the Lord and take one step at a time as He leads. She and I have talked many times about how it can feel tedious, slow, and like we’re walking down a path that might lead to a dead end. But, that’s the beauty of pursuing anything with faith—no matter where the narrow path leads, when you’re walking in obedience with Jesus, He will guard and grow your heart in ways you never knew possible. A hymn, originally penned in 1913 by C. Austin Miles, called “In the Garden,” has a refrain that reminds me of what it looks like to walk with Jesus1:

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.

Listening to that song always brings tears to my eyes and peace to my soul that I am certain only comes from walking with Jesus. But I am also so grateful for friends that I can share my biggest hopes and dreams with. If you don’t have someone like this in your life, take some time today to pray about who that might be. And if you feel there isn’t anyone, ask God to place someone on your path that is exactly who you need. Though it may surprise you, and He may not answer the prayer as you expect, I am confident He will provide.

The Walt Disney Company has been credited with saying: First, think. Second, dream. Third, believe. And finally, dare2. I want to challenge you today to keep a notebook and a pen nearby and when the Lord places an idea on your heart, write it down. Think about why He may be leading you to this thought or idea. Pray about it and let yourself dream of ways God may want to use your heart, talent, or skill for His glory. Believe you are enough, and remember that God will always equip you for wherever He is calling you. Lastly, if you feel it’s the Lord leading you, dare to be courageous and walk step-by-step toward that dream. Though it likely won’t be easy, and we often know no specific destination, if He calls you, He will walk with you, and you will experience a joy like you’ve never known.

1. In the Garden (1912 song). (2021, January 05). Retrieved January 15, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Garden_(1912_song)#:~:text=%22In%20the%20Garden%22%20(sometimes,Mack%20publishers%20for%2037%20years.

2. A quote by Walt Disney Company. (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2021, from https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7757380-first-think-second-believe-third-dream-finally-dare#:~:text=%E2%80%9CFirst%2C%20think.-,Second%2C%20believe.,Finally%2C%20dare.%E2%80%9D