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Wouldn’t it be nice if all we had to do was sit back and wave a magic wand to make our God-sized Dreams come true? If all we had to do with our idea was wait for the Lord to fulfill our wild dreams?
Well, unfortunately, that’s not usually the way many of our God-sized dreams are realized. I was reminded of this recently…and maybe a little disappointed too.
Kimberly Amici and I, CoFounders of Circles of Faith, a community/contributor website, recently met with Tom Campisi. He’s the Publisher of TriState Voice, an in-print and online source of Metro New York’s Christian news and events. What a nice super-dedicated guy. He’s remained loyal to delivering relevant Christian news through the TriState Voice for almost 20 years now.
We met with Tom to glean some of the wisdom and insight he’s gained over these many years. We were eager to hear how Tom had managed to keep this unique news venue going despite the fact that so many magazines and newspapers are struggling to survive.
I was hoping Tom could pass on a few “trade secrets,” the silver bullets he had discovered that we could apply to expand and grow our God-sized Dream.
“So tell us Tom, you’ve got a lot of experience and you’re still going strong. How have you kept the TriState Voice flourishing?”
I leaned in to hear the nuggets that would help us grow our audience, that would make us more relevant in a crowded market. What would make us a “success?” How could we be heard amidst so much online noise.
Tom smiled, “It’s a lot of hard work.”
[pinit count=”horizontal”]
His words fell upon my ears with a deafening thud.
Oh, well…uh, that was not the answer I was hoping for.
But it’s the truth.
Over the years, Tom has attended and covered countless music, ministry, and news events. He has sacrificed family time. He has had to take on a second job to support his dream, to fulfill his desire to keep this unique and critical source of Christian information alive.
Oh and there was a second nugget…almost as disappointing as the first.
Tom thought for a moment, then added, “It takes a lot of time too.”
Nope, that is not what I wanted to hear either.
I wanted to hear that God had performed one miracle after another, orchestrated endless divine connections, made the impossible happen on behalf of Tom and his dream. Because that’s what I want God to do for me, on behalf of my dream.
And God has performed miracles, opened closed doors, given me divine answers to my desperate pleas. There have been many, many God-incidences along the path of realizing my God-sized Dream. <==== Click to tweet
But there is also a whole lot of hard work involved in this dream…and there is time I have to give that I don’t always have or want to give.
So what is a dreaming girl to do?
We’ve got to be willing to work hard, to be intentional, and to dedicate time to our dreams. <==== Click to tweet
Then…
Rest!
Yes, that’s right. Rest in Him.
There is work and time required. But we can only do so much and after that, we have to rest and trust that if God ordains it, He will make it happen.
Here are a few Words from the Lord that spur me on when I edge toward the ledge of disappointment and just want to throw my dream overboard. Maybe they’ll spur you on too:
What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do. Is 46:11b
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 ESV
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Colossians 3:23 ESV
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; Ps 138:8
So how about you? What have you discovered along your God-sized Dream path? Any secrets to share? What scriptures spur you on?
Shared by Elise Daly Parker.
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Geraldine says
Aw bless you! I’m so grateful for likeminded Dreamers and believers! I suffered a huge blow to my dream yesterday and the day before. In fact, in an act of surrender I took the paper my dream was printed on and BURNT IT! I felt I was pursuing it more than I was pursuing God. I still believe it will happen, but maybe not the way I had anticipated. I have moved out of the way for God to now act. As much as hard work and time is involved in a dream to be realised, I’m still of the mind that God could, nay WILL, create such amazing opportunities for me. I don’t have much to give Him. But all He’s asking for is me and so very often that is hard to do. How can we put hard work and time into something we don’t yet have? God has to create those opportunities, yet to receive them we must be ready. I think preparation is key before a dream is realised. If it’s accomplished through our own hard work alone then the temptation is to say ‘my own hand brought it to pass.’ I believe in miracles and that’s what it’s going to take for my dream to come to pass!
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Elise Daly Parker says
Wow Geraldine…that is an act of surrender. And I so get the part about pursuing the dream more than God. Thanks for giving me a nugget to chew on today. I think I have some surrendering to do!
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Alecia Simersky says
I always enjoy reading your encouragement and honesty about the hard parts of working on your dream.
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Elise Daly Parker says
Awwwwww…thanks Alecia! You know, God is so amazing…and He does so much for us. But I think part of what I was seeing is, I always want more. And I don’t always want to work for it. God showed me this a long time ago when I went back to work. I am reminded today. He does call us to do our part and He will do immeasurably more!
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Satin says
HA HA!! Elise, boy do I ever relate to this post! Thank you for sharing your words & reminding us that God didn’t call us to a journey down “easy street” rather he put us on the path that will draw us closer to Him! Love your words of encouragement & affirmation here today! Love to you!
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Elise Daly Parker says
Yes, Satin…drawing close can be painful, but I’m sure God doesn’t want us roaming around “out there” without Him. And sometimes we have to be drawn back to Him in order to keep going. Love to you too!
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Mel says
Oh, this. He’s (very slowly) been teaching me that pursuing a dream doesn’t mean chasing it with abandon, all-out, every single day. There’s value in rest, in patience…and also in being willing to put things in His hands and just let go. That’s so hard…I’d really like to hold my book in my hands and see it on bookstore shelves, you know? 😉 But this season, He’s said I need to rest…and so I have to choose to trust His journey for me and find the beauty there. Because it’s there. 🙂 I love this…and am praying for you, my sweet friend!
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Elise Daly Parker says
Oh Mel, life takes so many twists and turns. And there are so many seasons. And it can be so so so hard to be patient and trust in God’s timing, instruction, and yes, even to trust that God’s will is right! Right? But I promise you Mel that God is with us all the way…He knows what’s best for us…and He will do what He has said and give us the desires of our hearts. You are awesome!!
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Amy Hunt says
You know I’m with you all the way on this.
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Elise Daly Parker says
Yes…and in the thick of it too, yes? Bless you Amy!
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Dolly@Soulstops says
Elise,
Awesome post and verses…I’ve been repeating Psalm 138:8 to myself on and off but I couldn’t remember the reference…thanks to you, now I do…if I can remember 🙂 it is such a juggling act to learn to work hard while also resting in God…I know I am always asking God for His help to do this….Thanks 🙂
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Elise Daly Parker says
You’re so right Dolly! How do we work hard and rest??? Well, I guess it means we get the peace that surpasses understanding despite potentially anxiety producing circumstances…and we rest as we trust. Blessings and thanks for stopping by.
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