On Wednesdays we are thrilled to fling open the doors to all of YOU! We love hearing your stories…the lessons you’ve learned, the roads you’ve walked, the dreams He’s planted in your hearts! Today we are excited to welcome back our friend Julie Dibble to God-sized Dreams. She is sharing how God has transformed her dreams! Thanks for being here today, Julie!
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God can transform anything.
He parted seas, healed the blind and empowered one smallish lad to beat down a giant. Reshaping and Christ-like-molding are His specialties. Why wouldn’t He change my dreams?
In my Godless days, I was restless, searching for something to excite my deadpan soul. Upon return from a weekend trip or as the new job lost its luster, I crashed. Any elevation in my mood dwindled, like when a full balloon pops and wildly sails until it lands lifeless and flat.
In those days, being resourceful and creating solutions to my less-than fulfilling life sustained me. Never did I fear of making a change, whether large or small. The tenacity and perseverance were blessings from above, though I had no awareness of that. In vain, I pursued ways to increase my serotonin against the gray backdrop of my life.
People saw the Julie who dreamed of moving, improved careers, and new relationships.
Yes, I fulfilled those dreams on the outside while I crumbled on the inside.
Over the last four years with following Jesus, my dreams have minimized like the screen we save on the computer. His call on my life is specific: I am to write and speak for His glory. He commissioned me to share life stories that reveal His power. It is such a privilege to be part of His Kingdom work that I cannot imagine doing anything else.
You may think the latter sounds like BIG dreams being actualized by His Highest through me.
I credit Jesus with preparing me for public speaking in my prior careers before I knew Him. And as a child I wanted to be an author, no doubt a seed He planted in my embryo’s heart.
Now is the time I answer His call.
If you love me, keep my commands.
John 14:15 (NIV)
Humbled, I follow Him. He orchestrated my attendance at two speaking and two writing conferences in the past three years. Publications, minor and major, have confirmed I am doing as He has asked. In the second half of this year, several speaking doors have opened. Through each door I will go, armed with prayer and my Lord’s sword of truth and light.
What’s next? I ask myself. My ministry is growing. It needs a name. That is one next step, one lighted block for me to do. Yet, I refuse to accomplish this alone. With a prayer team and meditating on Scripture, I will arrive at a decision with Him. (stay tuned for the ministry and website reveal!).
After my history of reaching prideful goals and fanciful dances away from stress, I believe Jesus has whittled away the ever-tempting dreaming compartments in my soul. Spiritual lessons to surrender have eradicated the old meandering and avoidant behavior.
Take heart, friends, I still have dreams. Dreams to draw closer to Him.
God is everywhere, so experiencing Him can be anywhere. My neighborhood walks, phone conversations with a friend, a couch-snuggle with my husband, cupping my son’s freckled cheeks, checking on my planted pumpkins. The list goes on and on just like His love for us.
As I lean in, I look forward to experiencing more of God as I step out I faith. I am still surprised when I consider His work thus far in me…from the girl who couldn’t sit still in her miserable life to the obedient woman of God who chases only Jesus.
Embrace His amazing power in your any-size dreams. The possibilities are endless.
Julie Dibble, MA is a Christian Speaker and Author who is passionate about sharing Jesus’ love and truth. Immersing herself in her fourteenth year of marriage and mothering two boys, Julie drinks only strong coffee. Each day, she collects words to speak and write for His glory. She has two published articles in Purpose Magazine and is working on her first book. Connect with Julie’s writing at her blog and follow her speaking on social media at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Thank you for sharing your words and wisdom with us! It’s Time…two words that have circled around my head lately. It’s time for the dreamers to stop doubting the call and walk in brave confidence. God’s been preparing us and has His hand on us. Your post reminded me of these truths.