Dreams. They begin to formulate in us from a young age with every relationship, emotion, and experience playing a part in bringing them to fruition.
David, Jessie’s youngest son, was a simple shepherd, tending to his father’s sheep. His dreams may have been of becoming a landowner and one day tending to his own sheep. But Samuel came looking for the man of God’s choosing and upon finding him, anointed him with oil. From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord was powerfully upon David although he did not take his rightful place as “king” for several more years.
He came to reign through servanthood – tending his father’s sheep, fighting giants, and playing music for a crazed king who needed to be mellowed from time to time. The fulfillment of his dreams did not come easily. Some battles came through his own sin and flaws; others through the sins and flaws of those around him.
Yet God still said, “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will everything I want him to do” (Acts 13:22, NLT).
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a young virgin, who dreamed of marrying Joseph, a good man. Her dream may have included a beautiful wedding day, hopes for a home, and children in the days ahead. The one thing she probably never dreamed was of finding herself pregnant before her wedding day. Her picture perfect plan did not go perfectly.
So what happens when our dreams change or we finally achieve our dream? What is it we are to do next?
We keep on going. We do the next thing.
God is always looking to make us stronger, grow us deeper, and take us further than we ever could dream.
His plans exceed what our finite and feeble minds can imagine and handle, so He unfolds them a bit at a time. All through our lives, He will continually be at work, revealing His plans piece by piece, much like a puzzle forms a work of art.
God always follows through on His plans and does not abandon the work of His hands. We only see a part as if through a mirror dimly, but one day we will see clearly:
“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NLT)
[clickToTweet tweet=”God wants to make us stronger & take us further than we’ve ever been.” quote=”God wants to make us stronger and take us further than we’ve ever been. “]
“And I am certain that God who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6, NLT)
So what do we do when we have achieved our dreams?
Shared by: Joanne Viola
Michele Morin says
June 19, 2017 at 6:42 amI love being reminded that the plan of God starts small and takes unexpected turns. I need the encouragement that what looks like a dead end to me — life in a cave, a personal catastrophe, the death of a dream — may be just the beginning of God’s bigger and unforeseen plan.
Thanks, Joanne, for your persistent faith and for using your giftedness to build into the faith of your readers.
Joanne Viola says
June 19, 2017 at 8:45 amMichele, thank you for encouraging me this morning. God’s Word so reminds us that all He starts in our lives is good and He will surely finish what He has started – to His glory and the praise of His Name.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
June 19, 2017 at 6:42 amJoanne,
So good to be reading your post here this am. As I sit here in my 50’s, I look back at how I thought my life would look. I can honestly say that I would have never imagined the twists and turns that it has taken. But God has weaved the good and the trials into a beautiful tapestry for His glory (not mine). At each plateau when I think, “This is it,” God urges me, like you said, to do the next thing….take the next step. Until I hit the grave, my dreams will have never truly unfolded because God is always at work perfecting what He started. Thanks for the reminder that we never fully “arrive” this side of heaven.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Joanne Viola says
June 19, 2017 at 8:55 amBev, it is so true that we are unable to imagine the twists and turns our lives take. The amazing thing to me is that God goes with us around every bend. He uses all things to show us another aspect of Himself.
Liz Giertz says
June 19, 2017 at 7:56 amJust do the next right thing… So encouraging, Susan! Some days I’m so excited to get to heaven and see all the missing pieces, all the things I didn’t understand or see on this side!
Joanne Viola says
June 19, 2017 at 8:56 amLiz, it will surely be astounding to see how all the pieces one day come together and all the Lord accomplished in the midst of it all. Blessings!
Becky Hastings says
June 19, 2017 at 8:49 amIt’s so easy for us to focus so much on a dream and forget that a single dream is not the sole purpose for our lives. God has dreams for us, but also so much more. Things to learn on the journey, people to impact along the way. And it’s all preparation for heaven. If we focus so much on achieving a dream what do we do when we get there? The picture is so much bigger than we see, and I’m grateful for God’s grace along the way!
Joanne Viola says
June 19, 2017 at 9:00 amBecky, you have shared wonderful thoughts! Life is about the journey and there are many components God is working in and through for purposes we may not ever understand. I, too, am grateful for His grace in all things.
Sarah Geringer (@SarahGeringer) says
June 19, 2017 at 9:01 amJoanne, this is a lovely post. I’m in a season of dream fulfillment after 25+ years of waiting. You are right…God is making me stronger, taking me deeper, and growing me deeper than I ever could have dreamed. Blessings to you!
Joanne Viola says
June 20, 2017 at 5:46 amSarah, how very exciting this must be for you! I hope that you will share about it as this will encourage many to continue on. Blessings to you!
Amy Jung says
June 19, 2017 at 10:19 amGood to be reminded that God changes things up! Our times are in His hands. We just keep putting one foot in front of the other–even when we think we’ve arrived or when a dream ends or changes. Thanks!
Joanne Viola says
June 20, 2017 at 5:48 amYes, all of our days are in His hands and He is not done with us. He is always working all things out for our good and for His glory!
Brenda says
June 19, 2017 at 10:27 amInteresting thought, Joanne…that our perspective of achievement, might not be His. His work may be much deeper than the shallow view we have. Lovely encouragement to keep doing the next thing without worry for the plan. ((xoxo))
Joanne Viola says
June 20, 2017 at 5:51 amIt is so important for us to remember that our ways and thoughts are not His. His perspective includes knowing the beginning from the end. My perspective is so limited. And so, we must continue one step at a time, one day at a time following His lead. So grateful for your encouraging thoughts!
Jerralea says
June 19, 2017 at 11:21 amSuch good advice! Just keep doing the next right thing …
Love this: “God is always looking to make us stronger, grow us deeper, and take us further than we ever could dream.
His plans exceed what our finite and feeble minds can imagine and handle, so He unfolds them a bit at a time. All through our lives, He will continually be at work, revealing His plans piece by piece, much like a puzzle forms a work of art”
We are His masterpiece, after all!
Joanne Viola says
June 20, 2017 at 5:52 amAmen, Jerralea, and so encouraging!
Donna Reidland says
June 19, 2017 at 12:46 pmJoanne, I wonder if God waits to show us things to keep us from getting too focused on how it’s not what we are planning and dreaming of. Instead, He shows us just enough to get us ready for “What’s next?” I loved this statement, “God is always looking to make us stronger, grow us deeper, and take us further than we ever could dream.” Great post!
Joanne Viola says
June 20, 2017 at 5:54 amDonna, such a good thought to ponder. It would be so easy to get and stay focused on the immediate and lose sight of the bigger plan. Truly He is all wise and knows just what we are ready to handle. Grateful you shared!
mareedee2016 says
June 19, 2017 at 6:32 pmJoanne, I agree we keep on going. God wants to place another dream in our heart. We just have to be willing. I had the privilege of watching dreams come true with a 103 year old woman that refused to give up. She was a catalyst in restoring relationships before she went home to be with the Lord.
Joanne Viola says
June 20, 2017 at 5:55 amSuch an amazing testimony and I am so grateful you shared it with us all. Encouraging to realize that no matter our age, dreams can still be fulfilled.
Joanne Viola says
June 20, 2017 at 8:05 amI had to come back to share something with you …. I just read this verse & remembered your testimony above … “Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to every one that is to come.” (Psalm 71:18) Powerful to reflect on in light of your 103YO friend. May we be faithful for ALL of our days!
Mandy Hughes says
June 19, 2017 at 8:14 pmSo great to read your post here today, Joanne! I love that you shared the delay and altered dreams of David and Mary. God’s way is not our way, but is certainly the BEST way. Thanks so much for sharing. Keep dreaming 🙂
Joanne Viola says
June 20, 2017 at 5:56 amAll for our good. All for His glory! May we always hold on to those dreams He places in our lives.