Ever been told why you can't accomplish the dream that God has put in your heart? I have! People with good intentions think they are keeping us from being hurt when they warn us about our liabilities, point out all the reasons we ought to 'play it safe.' I've done it to others, not because I am mean, but because I thought I was 'helping' them.
One of the most valuable experiences in my life happened when I was just 21 years old, married for a short time, and father of a 9 month old baby. God dropped a dream into my heart that demanded a move across the country, an expensive move for a kid with no money. With little more than a prayer and promise, Bev and I set off for a new place in which to serve God. But there were those who thought we were crazy, who disagreed with the dream! We learned about real faith - even to the point of having groceries show up on our doorstep. Our baby developed pneumonia and spent 5 days in the hospital, and our parents were 2,000 miles away causing us to lean even more heavily on the Lord. A church and pastor saw potential in us for ministry and let us do things we hadn't done to that point, stretching us 'way past our comfort level. God knew exactly what He was doing and I'm thankful I was obedient even though what we did appeared foolish. Those 12 months were packed full of life-changing, soul-shaping, experiences- for us!
A young teenage boy was sent off to check up on his brothers in the army. When he got to their encampment, he saw something that caused a Spirit-inspired dream to rise up in him. A champion of the enemy walked out every morning to defy the army and their God. When David heard Goliath's defiant challenges, he felt compelled to do something to change the situation. When he mentioned his dream, his older brother scoffed, “What are you doing here! Why aren’t you minding your own business, tending that scrawny flock of sheep? I know what you’re up to. You’ve come down here to see the sights, hoping for a ringside seat at a bloody battle!” “What is it with you?” replied David. “All I did was ask a question.” (1 Samuel 17:28-29, The Message) When David told King Saul about his desire to fight Goliath, the king scoffed at him, too. “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!” (1 Samuel 17:33, NLT)
The rest of the story is well- known. David finally did face the giant on the field of battle. His method was un-orthodox - a slingshot against sword, spear, and shield! It should have been a quick easy win for the giant except that David had an inspired dream, and faith that made all the difference. Did he shake with fear as he walked out to face a deadly enemy? Probably. Did he grasp the apparent foolishness of his quest? Probably not. That's the blessedness of dreamers! They see possibilities where others see only certain failure.
Dreamers scare me and yet, I admire them. Now that I am 50; yes, a half-century old, I am much more cautious than I was 25 years ago; less inclined to take the risks that most dreams require. That's quite common among older guys! We're now the ones telling the young dreamers to 'go slow,' why they can't do what we would have done 30 years ago, how much it costs, that they will surely 'get hurt,' and yet, dreamers keep on defying the wise men.
If your dream is God-inspired, go for it! The Word says, "If God is on our side, can anyone be against us?" (Romans 8:31, CEV)
Gather your resources, take good counsel, learn all you are able to know about doing what He wants you to do. Prepare for pain. Be ready to endure long spells when nothing seems to be happening. Those closest to you will be your worst critics, but stay the course.
Here's a word from the Word for all you dreamers to meditate on today:
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time... and the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." (1 Peter 5:6, 9-10, NIV)
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"Are ye able," said the Master,"to be crucified with Me?"
"Yea," the sturdy dreamers answered,"to the death we follow Thee."
"Lord, we are able, our spirits are Thine.
Remold them, make us, like Thee, Divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be,
a beacon to God, to love, to loyalty."
"Are ye able," still the Master,whispers down eternity,
"to be crucified with Me?"
And heroic spirits answer,
Now as then in Galilee.
"Lord, we are able, our spirits are Thine,
Remold them, make us, like Thee, Divine.
Thy guiding radiance above us shall be,
a beacon to God, to love, to loyalty."
- hymn by Harry Mason
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