Welcome to part four in a five-part series on Chasing your dreams. If you missed them, you can read part 1 here, part 2 here, or part 3, here.
I’ve been playing catch-up with some of my favorite magazine reading. Although I can love me some People Magazine, what I really eat up are my Life Beautiful and Homelife magazines. I was just finally getting around to the July issue of Homelife (I’m so very up with the times, aren’t I?) and I turned the page to discover an article entitled, wait for it… “Chasing a Dream” by Pete Wilson. This little article packed one convicting punch. My favorite quote from it, although there were so many wonderful nuggets to chew on, is the following:
“It means our confidence is no longer in our ability to achieve each one of our dreams, but in the strength and power of the God we claim to follow.” – Pete Wilson
I do believe that a verse I had chosen to focus on, back when I was considering chasing this dream in the first place, had slipped right outta my mind. And I’ve had blurry vision ever since. Are you still with me? Let me share the verse with you, and then it might become more clear:
And I lost sight of that. I don’t know about you, but I do believe I was struck with a case of the good old fashioned “I Wants”. I began to want what I wanted more than I wanted to keep my joy over the small beginnings. And it was not good. My stinkin’ thinkin’ began to spiral right out of control, with the possibilities for future growth. My eyes glazed over with excitement at the prospect of a fame that could only come at some increasingly obvious valuable cost. It was time with my family, for me. What might it be for you?
You see, that’s the irony here. In my case, anyway. Dreams almost always start out small. And if God has blessed it, He is pleased – no – He rejoices to see the work begin! That amazes me. He loved the smallest among us and sent His son to encourage us to come to Him like a little child. He loves the least, or smallest in significance, among us and commanded us to care for the widow and the orphan. He clearly loves small things. And, if we will allow Him to use us for His glory, He tells us that He will honor those small beginnings and esteem them and bless them.
I do believe that God was confirming this message, yet again, for me through this article. And, this message has been popping up in so many different ways and on so many different occasions lately, that it’s a wonder that God didn’t just whack me upside the head with a 2×4 and get it over with!
Please, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t hanker for progress and growth. As long as we’re keeping a few important things in mind, I believe God lets us loose to chase those dreams with abandon. For Him!
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Missy,
Thank you SO MUCH for participating in the blog hop. Praying for all of us as we learn to stop trying to control and start trusting God. Have a great weekend and remember to LET. IT. GO. 🙂
{Hugs} Karen Ehman
This is beautiful. Loving this series. I have a picture I need to send you… Will do it later! Can’t wait to talk. Let’s Skype or something so we can officially “meet”! HA!
Brianne!! Yes ma’am! I’m so glad you’re loving the series. God’s speaking to my heart loud and clear and I’m finally listening. 😉
Some of the very same scriptures God has used to deal with me about my calling and humility! Very well written! !!
Thank you so very much for stopping by. That scripture seems to be speaking to so many of us. Karen had it right on!
Missy, I love your perspective. We need to do all things, including our dreams, for God not man or even ourselves. Thank you for sharing with us!
So glad that you stopped by- its so true, and that verse in Colossians helps me remember.
“The only prize that matters”…indeed. And which makes all the other rewards matter in their way. Love this.
That’s such a great point about making all other rewards matter in their way. I so love hearing what you’re thinking, Christina!
Beautiful piece! You said it so well….great reminder not to overlook the small parts of our dreams!
I’m gonna need that reminder a few times, okay? 😉
What a gorgeous, gorgeous verse… perspective… everything. Love it. Needed it.
Me too, Lady. So glad to have you for company on the road. So stinkin’ glad.
Oh girl. Again. You + me = Same Page. God and I have been talking about this a lot lately. Thank you, thank you!
I wonder if He’s just considered conference calling us both on it at the same time. 😉