God-sized Dreams

Where Dreams Set Sail

Move Forward With Uncertainty

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How do we move forward with our dreams even when we have uncertainty?

Dreams are the aspirations or goals we hope to achieve in, with, or through our lives. They often start out strong, seemingly attainable and somewhere along the way, we begin to doubt, fear, and question.

We tend to look at heroes of the faith as just that – heroes. Yet if we were to look into Scripture, most of these heroes of the faith were just like us. In the beginning, they struggled with fear and doubt.

They were heroes because they forged ahead anyway.

Although God gives us the dream, we don’t always know the all the details. God called Moses to lead the people. Moses knew he was to take them to the Promised Land, but he still had a few unknowns:

“One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor.”
Exodus 33:12-13 (NLT)

Moses implored the Lord for more information. He wanted to know more about the details.

God often reveals part of the dream, the full dream remaining a mystery. Every now and then, He pulls the curtain back a bit, letting us in on another piece to the puzzle. We learn along the way that His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8).

Holley Gerth gives us this insight:

I believe God lets it be that way, even makes it that way, because it draws us closer to him. Our dreams may be elusive, but he is ever-present. Our dreams may challenge our sense of safety, but he is our ultimate security. Our dreams may catch our interest, but he’s the One who relentlessly chases our hearts.

(from “You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream, page 47)

As much as we would like to know it all and be in control, we can release control to the Giver and Keeper of all our dreams. God gave Moses this assurance:

“The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest – everything will be fine for you.”
Exodus 33:14 (NLT)

And He assures us as well that He will go with us and be with us always.

We move forward with uncertainty, certain of the One leading us forward.

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You may just have a God-sized dream if it is leading you to greater dependence on God. Your dream will bring you joy in time. But the primary goal of your dream is to bring you into a deeper and more intimate relationship with God.

“This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”
Habakkuk 2:3 (NLT)

So keep moving forward. Wait patiently. The dream will come to be and it will be right on time.

Shared by: Joanne Viola

                                        

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Comments

    • Yes, Boma, we must come to trust Him more. You have brought to mind the words to an old hymn … “T’is so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus. Oh, for grace to trust Him more!”

      Reply

  2. Joanne,
    So good to be reading you here this am!! HE and HE alone is our security. That allows us to walk forward not knowing all the details. I’m a planner, so I like to have a road map of what’s up ahead, but God promises to walk with me, but it will be at His pace and one step at a time. This draws me into utter dependence upon Him. Awesome reminders here!
    Blessings sweet friend,
    Bev xx

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    • It is truly my joy to be here! I am terrible with maps, however, I do love my GPS telling me where to go. And … I so dislike long periods of silence from her. There have been times I have wished she would say, “You’re on the right track! You’re doing good! Don’t worry!” I am so grateful that even in those silent times, we have God’s Word which continually speaks to us and He knows every detail. May we keep moving forward – in His strength. In His might. xo

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  3. What a great encouragement to move forward, to press in, to let go of control! Sometimes we hold our dreams so tight we forget that it isn’t about the dream as much as it is about our relationship with God. He wants us to press in to Him. That’s the goal. That’s the heart of it. Keep pressing in, keep going, keep letting go!

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    • Becky, I am so glad you went right to the crux of it all – it is all about relationship with Him. May we grow more deeply in our walk with Him, for He will always be there with us as we move forward.

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  5. Hi, Joanne! So glad to see you here. Whenever I feel bad for questioning, wondering, doubting my dream, I recall Moses response to God’s calling. This heritage hero had some serious issues, just like us. But, God … Thank you for this affirmation and encouragement. Blessings!

    Reply

    • Alice, I so agree with you. Not only did Moses question but he had more excuses and debated them with God. I am so grateful we can discuss our doubts and questions with God. He patiently deals with us and moves us forward in His purposes, in spite of ourselves. Thank you for sharing and encouraging me this morning!

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  6. This business of bowing to the omniscience of God and saying “yes” when we see only a cloudy image of what’s ahead . . . always a challenge for this planner and clinger to the known.
    And yet.
    I can’t imagine Moses EVER saying yes to God if that burning bush had given him a panoramic view of 40 years in a howling wasteland with his grumbling cohort, and yet that was Moses’s path to blessing.
    So often my path to blessing has come through a completely unexpected path, and so we keep on learning and trusting.
    Joanne, I’m thankful for your wisdom and beautiful words.

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    • Michele, I love your insight! No one would have said yes to 40 years of hearing complaints! It’s always the unexpected path He leads us on that is paved with future blessing. Yesterday as I sat in church, one line in the Scriptures read stood out like a neon sign –> “So I run with purpose in every step” (1 Corinthians 9:26a, NLT). There is purpose in each and every step.

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  7. Joanne, I love your final statement- keep, moving, wait patiently, and our dreams will come to be RIGHT ON TIME!
    I tend to become impatient often. It is a good reminder for me, that God’s timing is ALWAYS perfect!
    Great message!

    Reply

  9. Such wonderful encouragement today. The idea that God reveals pieces of our dream to deepen our relationship with him is so true. We desire to see the whole picture but God knows what we need and when we need it. The words from Habakkuk really spike to me today.

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    • It is so true, Mary. It is a good thing we don’t see the entire picture all at once. We would really struggle with fear. God truly knows best how to move us forward!

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  10. I’ve never thought of it this way before, Joanne! Our time of dreaming is meant to draw us into a closer relationship with God. What a beautiful thought for my evening :).

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  11. Thank you for the reminder that we can move forward with uncertainty because our certainty is in God who leads us forward.

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  12. Your words spoke to my heart. I felt so comforted in the knowledge that God will bring the dreams in our hearts to pass as we trust in His timing and the management of the details. The patience to wait on Him and to continue to abide in Him, will bring me more satisfaction and peace on this journey. I especially enjoyed the verse in Habakkuk 2:33 and feel it will sustain me as I wait on His leading.

    Reply

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