“Deep enough to dream in brilliant colors I have never seen.
Deep enough to join a billion people for a wedding feast.
Deep enough to reach out and touch the face of the one who made me.
And oh the love I feel and oh the peace, do I ever have to wake up?”
– Chris Rice in “Deep Enough to Dream”
I don’t like naps, but sometimes I feel like I’m missing out on the escaping real life with some daytime dreams. And even if I weren’t actually sleeping, my mind tends to focus on what’s happening or planning what’s to come next, letting the potential daydreams escape me.
Sitting in the pickup line at school a couple months ago, I heard this older Chris Rice song. It’s one of those that I haven’t heard in years, but I managed to sing along with like I heard it yesterday.
The words struck me, and I was thankful for the moment to remember what trusting in the Dream Giver Himself is about.
I said no to a friend this spring even though I believed her invitation was important. It came on the heels of busyness that comes with the end-of-school calendar, multiple commitments that required me to be away from my family for short periods of time, our own birthday season where three of the five of us celebrate turning a year older, and general life with three kids.
I knew “no” was right, but it was still hard.
Saying no is hard. (And, yes, sometimes saying yes is difficult, depending on the circumstances and your personality.) Slowing down and not glorifying busy is a challenge in today’s fast-moving world. Focusing on small, faithful steps is necessary in God’s Kingdom but nearly impossible in our culture.
We need to be in tune with God’s heartbeat and not the demands of this world.Click To TweetOf course, real life requires action and not just fluffy day dreams. But there’s something to be said about imagining what’s to come, all the brilliant colors that God can lay out before us.
Here are three ways I do that, and hopefully they’ll help you realize your dreams too:
1. Take a break. I already admitted I don’t nap. But I do like a good fiction book that serves as a mental vacation right there in the midst of the chores and regular commitments.
2. Remember small steps matter. Faithfulness isn’t usually bright, shiny lights from a big platform.
3. Please God, not people. Yes, love people, but what you do matters in the eyes of God, not man.
I know I can slow down and enjoy the process more. I don’t want to miss the brilliant colors. I want to make to link arms with other believers here because we are invited to the banquet Jesus is preparing for us. I want to see the face of Jesus in people here and anticipate seeing God’s glory in all its fullness one day in heaven.
We need to be in deep relationship with God that lets us dream. And that’s the kind the dream we don’t need to wake up from.
Shared by: Kristin Hill Taylor
Kristin, this post is so good but this is what spoke to me this morning …” Please God. Love people.” At times, I think I can flip that to be “Please people, love God.” Sounds good but is only partially doable. We love God and people are still hard, or impossible, to please. It is when we please God that we are best able to love people fully. Such a good reminder.
Thanks, Joanne! I need to remind myself of this regularly. 🙂
Kristin, – Your post was more timely than even I can fully understand. Just yesterday I had to say “no” to an opportunity with a friend. I know my answer was correct but it sill hurts. I am also on the heels of taking a much needed break but it is so hard to slow down. I do want to listen to the heartbeat of God and not the busyness of this world but I seem to mix the two of them up. I am looking forward to a break with God over the next few week. Thank you – I needed this last little bit of encouragement. Maree
Those situations, even when clear, can be so hard! I’m glad you could be encouraged here, Maree!
Your words emphasize for me the privilege of dreaming in concert with God — offering up my own day-time dreams (I don’t like naps either) for his scrutiny and approval (“Lord, could we do this? Really?”) and then waiting for his green light smile. Why is it that we always lose sight of the relationship component in our Christian life? Unbelievable gift that He knows us and wants us to know Him too!
It certainly is a privilege to dream with God, and I wonder why I sometimes lose sight of that. I’m glad you’re here, Michele. You’re a blessing!
I really needed these words today. It’s funny because when I first clicked to open this I didn’t get to read it (you know how that goes I’m sure). But when I just sat down to read it I found it to be the perfect time. I’m good at saying no, but not to the people I really love. You reminded me that sometimes it is necessary. Thanks for the reminder at the perfect time 🙂
I love how God orchestrates that perfect timing in even small ways. I’m glad you could be encouraged, Becky!
Kristin, I loved this statement, “Slowing down and not glorifying busy is a challenge in today’s fast-moving world.” Even though I know that’s true, it’s a trap I so easily fall into! Thanks for this reminder. I’ve had to learn to say both “yes” and “no” at various times. Often, the one that’s required is the harder one to make. Have a great week!
Hi, Donna! I fall into that busyness trap too sometimes, and then find myself having to say hard nos or yeses. I’m thankful God is faithful regardless. Thanks for being here!