God-sized Dreams

Where Dreams Set Sail

To Dream Or Not To Dream

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To Dream or Not to Dream

Have you ever felt like dreams were for other people? Have you been the cheerleader for other people’s dreams, but felt guilty or self-indulgent for having your own dreams?

I am thrilled to be a new contributor for God-Sized Dreams because I, too, once felt this way.

Allow me to introduce myself. I am originally from Northern California. I was raised in a single-family home with just my brother and myself. The environment around me pretty much crushed any possible dreaming that could have come from a young girl’s heart. I grew up in a toxic home. Perhaps you can relate? My mother was an alcoholic, and although no one ever said dreams are for fools, it was much implied. Life felt heavy, and my goal was to survive and get out of the house. Not sure that classified as a dream.

I remember when I was in 9th grade. It was during PE and we were asked to run around the track. What no one knew about me was that sometimes at night, when things at home got chaotic, I would run around my neighborhood as fast as I could. I would just run and run and run. I guess you could call it a healthy form of therapy. That day the track team was also warming up, sharing the track with our class. As I ran past the track coach, I overheard him telling another runner, “She’s fast, run with her.” And he came up alongside of me and ran, and I in turn ran faster.

When PE was over, the coach approached me and asked if I’d be interested in joining the team. I was elated! They wanted me.

I began practicing with the team, running long distance. The coach let me know that I would need to purchase a pair of quality tennis shoes before the first meet. I went home to ask my mom if she would buy me a good pair of tennis shoes for track.

Her response was one of many dream-crushing comments that reinforced that dreams were for other people. “Why?” she asked. “You’re not going to finish.”

You’re right, I thought in my head.

Who was I fooling? I wasn’t track team material. I probably wouldn’t finish anyway. The next day was team picture day. I didn’t show up so they sent someone to get me. I told him to tell the coach that my mom said I couldn’t be on the team because my grades were bad. Of course this wasn’t true, but I knew this was probably too good to last so I might as well quit now.

And so went most of my young life–those teams, those groups, those extra-curricular activities–those were for other people. And unknowingly and unintentionally, these unhealthy, unbiblical thoughts attached themselves to my adult thinking.

I gave my heart to the Lord at the age of 20. I moved from Southern California to Dallas, Texas, to go to Bible College.

And I struggled.

I struggled to believe that I was good enough and smart enough to be there. The enemy wanted me to quit and just give up, like I had done so many times in my past. But thankfully, with the support of friends and family, I finished.

The enemy is a dream-stealer. He doesn’t want us to know that our dreams are God-given because then we might actually have the audacity to pursue them. We might actually take God at His Word and believe in those dreams that He’s placed in our hearts.

What I’ve come to realize about our dreams is that they are for us, but they’re not ‘just’ for us. He gets the glory when He does something in our lives that can only be Him. If He gives you a dream, I have a feeling it’s a dream that will also benefit and encourage others as well.

I used to think it was selfish to dream, but now I think it’s selfish not to dream.

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  What are the gifts, talents and abilities He has placed in your life that you could use to bring Him glory?

God-Sized Dreams. They’re for you…. But they’re not ‘just’ for you.

Have there been people in your life who have tried to crush your dreams or speak against them? Has it been hard to believe that He could use you because of your past? Has the enemy been working overtime to convince you that dreams are for other people? Remember, God gives us these dreams in order for us to further His Kingdom and to be a blessing to others. Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy for one more day!

Remember that runner who came alongside me in high school? Someone saw something inside of me that I couldn’t even see, and because of that I pushed through, I persevered, and I ran my race with confidence. And that is why I am so excited to be a part of this God-Sized Dreams Community! So that together we can encourage each other, run our race, call some things out of each other that maybe we don’t even know are there, and dream together.

My challenge to you today: Teach that class, write that book, run that race, apply for that job, invite those families over, volunteer for that non-profit, make your DIY projects, serve the children, open that shelter, start that business, speak to that group… to God be all the glory!!

 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

Shared by: Celeste Barnard

Comments

  4. I have had the privilege to watch you pursue your God sized dreams!!! I have watched you crush the lies of the enemy & believe the promises of your Lord! I am so proud of you! I know the Lord has many more exciting things in your future! The BEST is yet to come!

    Reply

  6. Thank you for sharing. You have encouraged me to encourage others that dreams are not impossible. I have grown a little weary this week and your post was just what I needed.

    Reply

    • Thank you Maree Dee! Keep on going, fighting the good fight, do your part, and leave the results up to Him. ❤️ Praying the Lord will refresh you with more of His strength and His presence in your life. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! 💕

      Reply

  8. That was beautiful my friend! Thank you for sharing and encouraging us all to dream. I have felt that dreams are for others and not me far to many times. Love you & thankful for you!

    Reply

    • Thank you Lily!! Praying God will continue to show Himself through dreams He puts on your heart. Dreams for for YOU friend!! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! Love you friend!! ❤️😘

      Reply

  9. Thank you Lily!! Praying God will continue to show Himself through dreams He puts on your heart. Dreams for for YOU friend!! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment! Love you friend!! ❤️😘

    Reply

  10. I loved your challenge for today at the end – what an awesome call to action! I read and reread it, each time with more conviction and gusto – very inspiring! Thank you for pointing out the devil’s lies and plot and shining God’s grace and blessing on the gifts and dreams He’s given us. Much love!

    Reply

  11. Wow, Celeste, I was so incredibly encouraged by your timely story. I too, adopted ungodly labels that were placed on me growing up, labels that I have fought to be free of for so long, but sometimes I still struggle. I feel like I am struggling with this currently as my own God-sized dream is being birthed, a God-sized dream of packing up my life to go and serve cross-culturally in Ethiopia. Although, I knew this was where the Father was taking me and it’s been years in the making, now that it’s actually happening, I am suddenly filled with doubt and fear that maybe He’s made a mistake with me and I’m not enough to do what He has called me to. I know that these are lies of the enemy, but when those people that labeled you growing up are still in your life, it can be really hard to break free from this. So, I just wanted to say thank you for your encouraging post. It is always a comfort to know that I am not the only one out there who has had to cling to the Father to define us and affirm us in ways the world isn’t able to and to also never stop dreaming!

    Reply

    • Amen Bianca! Keep on looking to Him for affirmation on who we are and He will remind us that’s He’s made us for so much more… He is birthing this dream and desire in you. Trust His perfect timing and His provision. Praying for you! Never stop dreaming! 💝🙏🏻

      Reply

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