I scribbled down notes from Ms. Jentzen’s sophomore psychology class. Copying the triangle diagram of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, I paused to assess where I’d land on it. At 16 years old, I decided I wanted to be self-actualized—to strive toward being the best I can be.
Decades later, this desire resurfaced while using the self-assessment tools in Holley Gerth’s book, You’re Already Amazing. In surveying her lists of strengths and skills, I stopped at the word growing. It turns out I innately gravitate to learning new things, soaring with my strengths, and managing my weakness.
The same rings true for my dreams. God urges me to turn toward the broken pieces in my life and to dream big restoration dreams. Compared to concrete dreams like writing a book, finding a part-time job, or learning to scuba dive, it feels awkward and clumsy to say:
- I dream of living a free and abundant life.
- I dream of a thriving marriage.
- I dream of reconciliation with a friend.
- I dream of being able to forgive.
But, remember that a God-sized dream is “a desire in your heart for more of what God has for you.”
The dreams above are intangible, but they are still dreams. They are not easily measured and can’t be approached with a standard business plan.
Maybe you have an abstract dream? One that has to do with healing and restoration?
Interior and relational dreams, which focus on healing and growth, share a common root: security in Christ. (<====Click to tweet.) If your dream involves personal healing or repairing relationships, try this:
We can forget the head knowledge we have about Him. Do we find ourselves relating to God as a harsh judge, someone for whom we need to perform or earn approval?
We tend to think of God in human terms because that is what we know—that’s what we have to compare Him to. Some say we see God the way we see our own human fathers, for better or worse.
How is our image of God distorted?
Psalm 103:8 tells us, The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in love.
The word compassion means “to suffer with.”
Our God loves us each unconditionally and suffers with us. He neither shames nor condemns (Romans 8:1-2); He extends mercy and forgiveness. (Psalm 23:6, Matthew 26:28)
He freed us and urges us to live in that freedom. (Galatians 5:1)
He rejoices over us with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
Let’s think of the person who loves us most in this world: our husband, mother, best friend. Who makes us feel most secure, most able to be ourselves, most cared for? Who leaves us feeling most uplifted, most joyful, the best version of ourselves? Multiply this exponentially, and it doesn’t even begin to touch how much God loves us.
We are children of the King. (Romans 8:17)
We are chosen and cherished not for anything we’ve done or will do, but because of who we are. (John 15:16)
God will never stop loving us. (Jeremiah 31:3)
We are remade in Him, brand-new creations, and He is always working for our good. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 8:28)
Meditating on who God is and who we are in Him creates a rock solid foundation for moving forward in our God-sized dreams for healing and restoration. (<====Click to tweet.)
Let’s ask God to reveal Himself to us and to reveal what we mean to Him. Let’s ask Him to pour His love into us and enable us to receive that love. This is what we stand on, in confidence, as we seek healing in any area because we become secure that, in Him, we are whole. And we can confidently live loved.
The other dreaming pieces start falling into place after that.
What is keeping you from living loved?
What’s your abstract God-sized dream?
Shared by: Mandy Mianecki
Photo credit: Kiwi-Wings
LOVE this so much!!
Thanks, Alecia!
Such good words today, friend…I agree that there are days when restoration seems and feels so abstract. So thankful for the reminder that I am His…and that He loves me, and I can believe He will restore. Love this! 🙂
Thanks, Mel! And absolutely–He is wild for you and wants your restoration so much. He’s so proud of each step you take to receive the work He’s doing in you and your life. I’m so proud of you too! XOXO
This reminds me of something our pastor just preached on from Acts 9 where Peter heals a paralyzed man & raises another from the dead.
The points were simple..
There are more than one way to be paralyzed i e emotional/spiritual frozen or paralyzed.
There is more than one way to be dead i e emotionally/spiritually dead.
The point being God still heals the paralyzed/dead. And He uses wounded people like Peter, who denied Jesus, and like you and me to do it.
Thank you for sharing that, Janet! It’s beautiful. Yes, there are many ways to be “paralyzed,” and the good news is that God wants to change that for us. I think you are so right: He uses broken people like you and me to help in that healing process.
I’m so sorry–I meant to write Laurel! I so appreciate what you shared.
I like this post. At 1st it seems simple, but at a 2nd and 3rd reading, the 2 step jumpstart sets a good foundation for going forward. My abstract dream is to trust God enough, to live each day for Him, not for me. I still make my own To Do list, instead of letting God write it. Thanks for getting me to stop and think this through. Hey, I guess I just got my jumpstart going!
That’s awesome, Janet! Yes, to trust God–I think the more we really understand God’s nature, the more that trust can take root. It’s not easy, for sure. But, when we begin to understand and embrace how truly loved we are, then we begin to want to entrust ourselves to the One who wants the very best for us. Thanks for sharing! I’m praying for your journey.
Wonderful post! I never really considered an abstract God-sized dream until today. The concrete ones have always been front and center when I consider the dreams God has laid on my heart. Thank you for bringing this to my attention!
Those concrete dreams are great ones, too. I’m glad this post helped, Ashley; thank you for your kind words! When God reminds me that a God-sized dream is more of what He has for me, and that what He wants most is communion with me, then I begin to see those abstract dreams taking shape. Praying for this new leg of your dreaming journey!
Mandy…
Mommy…
As my little guy says my name again and again…I know that He made us to be mothers, wives, writers, and dreamers…really liked the ship steering wheels and anchors! He guides us and anchors us for sure! Jenn
Thanks, Jenn! In the midst of all that fills our days, we surely need that firm anchor, don’t we? He does grace us with such abundance.
Mandy thank you so much for distilling some big ideas into 2 manageable steps to consider. Love this! I recently began re-reading some of A.W. Tozer’s writings on the character of God. It’s so good to consider how we really view God. Thank you for your wise words.
Thank you so much, Lisa. I’ve found that God’s is so gentle with us when it comes to these healing issues. He wants us to know how much He loves us and how our identity is rooted in that. It is our heart He is after. I haven’t read Tozer’s writings on the character of God. That sounds fabulous! Thank you for mentioning that.
Mandy,
This post was so timely for me! I find some of my God-sized dreams ARE intangible – I thought I was crazy, that I couldn’t always verbalize my dreams! Thanks so much for this!
I’m so glad, Ellen! Nope, you’re not crazy. You dream big, God-sized dreams. Prayers for your journey!