On Wednesdays we are thrilled to fling open the doors to all of YOU! We love hearing your dreaming 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 Angela Howard to God-sized Dreams. She shares the reminder that BIG dreams are always safe when those dreams are from God. Thanks for being here today, Angela!
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I’ve battled with self-sufficiency since I was old enough to talk, walk and declare my opinion. There’s a little voice inside my head that often says, I’ll just do it myself. And let me be honest, it doesn’t say it in a sweet voice. I had been perfectly comfortable with this inner dialogue until God challenged me to start dreaming God-sized dreams that were beyond my abilities and left me wondering how I would ever achieve them.
There’s something about the safety of working within to-do lists that keeps us from dreaming big. I like to look at a project, wrap my head around the details, make a plan and be confident that I’ll succeed. It’s comforting to have the assurance of success. But God is asking something more from me than the perceived security of self-sufficiency. In fact, He asks this of everyone who follows Him.
God asks, “Will you trust me?”
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
They are like trees planted along a riverbank,
with roots that reach deep into the water.
Such trees are not bothered by the heat
or worried by long months of drought.
Their leaves stay green,
and they never stop producing fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NLT)
Choosing to trust says that we will depend on God’s strength and not our own. Choosing to trust says we’re ready for those God-sized dreams that are extraordinary and full of purpose.
Is It Safe to Dream God-sized Dreams?
In The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis presents an interesting concept of Jesus, who is represented by Aslan in the story. When the children learn that Aslan is a lion, one of them asks their guide, “Is he safe?”
The guide replies, “Safe? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
As followers of Jesus, we are called to take risks for the kingdom of God. Dreaming God-sized dreams is anything but safe. They’re dangerous. They’re risky. They’ll make you wonder if you’ve taken on too much. But we can confidently set aside our comfort and security knowing that we can trust in a faithful God. When God ignites a spark inside your soul that says…
“Start a blog and write a book!”
“Adopt a child.”
“Rescue women from sex trafficking.”
“Feed the hungry.”
“Become a doctor.”
“Love the unlovely.”
“Homeschool your children.”
“Serve your family, your church, your community…”
“Start a non-profit.”
Why Can We Say Yes to God-Sized Dreams?
When we’re afraid and wonder why God chose to plant this dream deeply in our hearts we need to remember why we can say yes. It’s not about what we can do. It’s not about our self-sufficiency. It’s about the character of God.
God is good.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34 (NLT)
God is faithful.
If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
2 Timothy 2:13 (ESV)
God is our strength.
He is wise in heart and mighty in strength…
Job 9:4 (ESV)
God is wisdom.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Romans 11:33 (ESV)
Today you can trust that God will give you what you need to bring Him glory. Turn away from self-sufficiency and take the risk to accomplish the God-sized dream He has placed in your heart. You’ll never regret saying yes to God!
Angela Howard is an author and minister who loves empowering people with authentic encouragement and Biblical perspective for their imperfect lives. Her book: How to Love Your Crazy Family is on Amazon and you can connect with her on her blog, No Ordinary Days.
P.S. We just launched our Spring t-shirt campaign! There are two designs and a variety of colors and styles to choose from. Don’t miss this sale…it won’t last long!
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Greta Hartmann says
April 21, 2016 at 10:38 amGod IS AMAZING. My whole life has been a struggle of wills: between knowing God “has this”, and on the flip-side, thinking I need to quit.
I NEED this encouragement/coaching TODAY, Angela. I say coaching because your manner of laying out the biblical facts completely grips any bad attitude I’m battling and places that attitude into the line it needs to be in: TRUSTING GOD.
I do not need to get caught up worrying and wasting precious time on figuring out God’s logistics- rather I need to be walking in the Spirit and allowing the wisdom to I receive to be my guide. This, I know. Now it’s a matter of “JUST DO IT!”
Greta
Angela Howard says
April 21, 2016 at 8:24 pmGreta – I’m so happy that the Lord spoke to you through this post! God’s word is ever faithful to reveal our motives and show us the truth of His character. Trusting God always seems to be the crux of the matter for me. Praying that the Lord will increase your ability to quickly see when you get off track with worry. Thanks for your encouragement!