dream |driːm|noun1 a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person’s mind during sleep: She was a dreamer.
I love to dream. I love surrounding myself with dreamers, goal-setters, high-achievers, and believers. I am futuristic and forward-thinking, and love being around people who push me to be better and to dream bigger.
However, sometimes we “dreamers” have a tendency to become discontent with our present situation, always looking ahead for the next best thing. It can be so easy to lose sight of our contentment and gratitude for the season of life we currently find ourselves in.
When you’re single, you want to be married. When you’re married, you can’t wait to have children. When you have children, you envy your single friends who still “have a life”. You interview for the perfect job and when you get it, you wish you could just stay at home.
My goodness, we are hard to please.
The fact that we are never truly satisfied, makes me wonder… Will we ever be content with anything in this life? I’m beginning to believe that maybe life is less about the destination of a dream, and more about the development of the dreamer.
God has really been teaching me lately to enjoy my present circumstances. To enjoy everyday life, little moments with my family, and to just enjoy Him. He has given me dreams and visions for my future that I strive to accomplish each day. But if I allow my desire for the dreams He has given me to become more important than my desire for Him, then I’m completely missing the point.
Joseph was one of the biggest dreamers in the Bible. In Genesis Chapter 37, he had several dreams from God when he was young about all of his brothers bowing down before him. God showed him incredible things about his future, but it wasn’t until Chapter 42 (and 22 years filled with being sold as a slave, put on trial for crimes he didn’t commit, and a long waiting period in prison) that he actually saw those dreams come to pass.
I love the story of Joseph, because through it all, he remained faithful to God. In those 22 years of “waiting” for the dream, Joseph wasn’t waiting at all. He was being developed, pruned, and prepared for his destiny as a high ruler of Egypt!
When God gives us a dream, he rarely shows us the long, winding path it will take to get us there. As a child of God, you are walking in purpose and destiny–right now! Life is not about a destination, it is about the journey and who you are walking that winding road with. Each day, each lesson, and each interaction all play a part in the roadmap of your life. You are developing your character as you go!
“We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5
As dreamers, we need to be careful that our dream never becomes more important to us than the One who gave us the dream. Oftentimes God will give us a vision or passion to fulfill in our lives, and those things can become idols to us. Our “gifts” start to become more about us and building our own Kingdom, than about building the Kingdom of God. If we place our “purpose” in life over our love for God, then we will never be satisfied.
“You will eat but never have enough. Your hunger pangs and emptiness will remain. And though you try to save your money, it will come to nothing in the end.” Micah 6:14
God’s desire is to have a relationship with you and to develop your character for the purpose and destiny on your life. I wish I could explain in words how much God loves you and cares for you. The only true contentment you will find in this life is through pursuing a daily relationship with Him. As you grow closer to Him, you will become more like Him–and your dreams will start to unfold before you.
So take your focus off of the dream today and place it on the One who gave it to you. Our dream-giver! Ask God to show you places in your life that need more care and development so you can be ready for the dream when that time comes. Prepare yourself today and every day for your purpose and destiny. You are living in it right now!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24
Keep dreaming, darling!
XO-
Sabrina