Dreaming has a way of moving you closer to the way that God sees things. When you dream, you see yourself rising above your limitations; and moving from where you are to where He wants you to be.
The real question about dreams is: Do you have the courage to act on your dreams? James 2:20 tells us that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS is dead...if that's the case then a dream without DILIGENCE is dead too!
God expects us to put elbow grease with our faith! He's not going to miraculously lift us out of our dream and set us down in the middle of its fulfillment. Our job is to lay the foundation.
The children of Israel had a dream of The Promised Land. However, the only way to get there was through the wilderness. It's in the wilderness that they learned to:
- Trust God daily for what they needed.
- Discover His power in the "Red Sea situations" of life.
- Learn how to be led by Him.
- Keep their eyes on their destiny and move steadily toward it.
- Refuse to become like those who murmur, complain and never make it.
What are you dreaming about? What has God given you a glimpse of? You'll never out-dream God! "God can do...far more than you can ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" (Ephesians 3:20 TM)
A dream from God will remain in your heart even when life seems to have buried it. Maybe someone has told you it's too late. Don't believe it! (Noah started building the ark at five hundred!)
Run after your dream no matter how far fetched it may seem! Our dreams our like our children; they're our offspring. They're the joy of our present and the hope of our future! Protect them! Feed them! Encourage them to grow, for as long as you have a dream - you'll never be old!
Joseph pursued his dreams in spite of betrayal by his family, repeated attempts at seduction by Potiphar's wife and false imprisonment. Joseph's dream carried him all the way to his destiny as ruler of Egypt!
A God-given dream will lead to God-honoring results! A God-given dream will never cause a nightmare for others. Paul writes, "Long before we heard of Christ...He had...designs on us for glorious living." (Ephesians 1:11 TM)
GOD HAS A DREAM FOR YOU!
When you seek the Lord for that dream...He'll reveal it to you! When He does, remember three things:
- Dreams are specific, not general; personal, not public. God won't give somebody else your dream, He'll give it to you. He may confirm it through others, but He'll reveal it to you first. When He does, don't share it with the wrong people or you'll get hurt. Like Joseph's brothers, they won't be able to handle it.
- Dreams are usually outside the realm of the expected. Often they'll cause rational people to look at you and say, "You've got to be kidding!" Before God does the miraculous, He may ask you to do the ridiculous! Are you prepared for that?
- Dreams separate leaders from followers! Dreamers are always a minority. Those who live by sight will always outnumber those who live by faith!
Follow your God-given dream! You are a LOFTY DREAMER!
