Living Your Dreams

I found or should I say, came across in a pile of other books, one of my favorite books last week.  It is called, "The Dream Giver", by Bruce Wilkinson.  He is the author of the book, "Prayer of Jabez" and "Secrets of the Vine".  His writing is profound and pointed, yet simple enough for me to understand it!

In his book "The Dream Giver"  he writes about a character named Ordinary that lives in the land of Familiar.  Ordinary decides to take the road to his destiny.  There are many elements about the journey that I want us to discuss over the next few weeks.  The first is recognizing your dream and writing it down.

Ordinary grows up and moves out on his own and starts his life.  One evening he is given a dream by the Dream Giver.  This dream makes him excited and allows him to start thinking about what he is to do with his future.  He begins dreaming about his destiny.  He begins to realize and believe he was born for this - this is his purpose in life!  A destiny is more than a destination - it is a Land of Promise where you fulfill the dreams of your heart.  Every person on the planet has a destiny!  You were created for greatness!  You have to begin to believe that you were created for more than just yourself. 

What is your destiny?  What does your land look like?  If you could describe it, what would it look like?  Scripture says to write the vision and make it plain, so those that come after you can read the map.  Writing it down does two things for you - first, it makes it real for yourself.  You know what it looks like, how it feels, how it smells, it gives you something you can see so you know when you arrive.  It is like going to a vacation destination.  You have seen pictures, so you know when you arrive.  The journey there is only the beginning - you get to live it out and experience new things in the Land of Promise. 

Secondly, writing it out allows others to know where you are going.  They can encourage you, help you to avoid pitfalls, help you to fight the Border Bullies and the Giants.  It leaves a trail for others coming out of Familiar to have a path to follow.  We are not called to live life alone.  We are called to do life together!  Your dreams are going to require other people to be involved.  Your dreams should be big enough that you can't do them on your own.  If they are not too big for you to do alone - they are too small. 

Here's your assignment - should you choose to leave the Land of Familiar:

1. Write your dream down - describe it to the fullest degree possible.  Ask the Lord to help you by showing you exactly what He wants you to do.
2. Develop a plan of action - what steps will you need to take in order to get where you are going.
3. Think about what type of friends you are going to need in order to accomplish your dream.  Do you need an encourager, a rule follower, a technically inclined friend, a creative artsy friend....what will you need?
4. Pray and Prepare - lay your dream out before the Lord.  Ask Him to show you what you need to do in order to start your journey out of Familiar and into the Land of Promise.

This is the first step out of the Land of Familiar.  You can do it!  God has called you for this time and this purpose!  "Have I not told you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go!"  Joshua 1:9

Be Encouraged!
Stephanie