Monday Morning Devotion-July 25, 2022
God Given Dreams
So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Galatians 6:9
*Based on a devotion that was first shared on May 9, 2016
Do you have a dream? Is it something that has been on your mind and in your heart for a long time? Perhaps you have despaired of ever having it come true. Maybe the dream is a recent one, but it lingers and occupies a lot of your thinking
Let's examine this idea of when dreams come true and when they don't. When should we just give up on a dream and when should we hang on to it even though it seems to have been on the back-burner for an awfully long time.
First of all let's take a look at what Merriam-Webster dictionary ( www.merriam-webster.com ) says that a dream actually is. Under "simple definition of a dream" we find these definitions of Dream:
: a series of thoughts, visions or feelings that happen during sleep.
: an idea or vision that is created in your imagination and that is not real.
: something that you have wanted very much to do, be or have for a long time.
Most of my dreams fall into that latter definition. In fact, my current project falls into that category. I had dreamed about getting this particular book published but having that dream come true was a difficult journey. In this case the book “Seeing the Invisible, Doing the Impossible,” now seems headed to success as I have a contract for it to be published.
The major difference that occurred was I felt like I was being directed to change the writing of this book from non-fiction to creating it in novel form. So, it now becomes fiction but based on a true story and stays true to actual events. It’s now obvious that when I changed the format, as I was being directed to do, God sent a publisher my way.
How do you know when a dream is a "God Given Dream" and when it is totally a "Me Driven Dream?" That's important to determine. Because if it is a dream that God directed your way if you follow up, work on it, research ways to make it happen the dream will become a reality. Sometimes that journey to success is a long and arduous one, but not always.
One thing that I do is to stay open to God Nods along the way. I consider something a God Nod when some little bit of information comes your way, seemingly "out-of-the-blue." Well, I guess it would be out of the blue if it came from God in heaven assuming that heaven is somewhere way up above all the clouds in the blue sky. We have no way of knowing that.
In my writing career there have been times such as with my current book in which the events took place 18 years ago, when I had practically forgotten about the dream I originally had for the book. At first it had seemed like it would be a good one to write. But I couldn’t get it to work. So, it got pushed aside for other things. Then something would crop up that redirected my attention to it. I don't think that this new information or encouragement would have come my way if it wasn't God-directed. Apparently, it was God’s way of saying, "Don't give up. Stay the course. Trust Me."
Are there ways we could test a dream to see if it came from God or simply from our own imagination and personal desires? According to Sheridan Voysey, a writer, speaker and broadcaster on faith and spirituality in the United Kingdom (www.sheridanvoysey.com ) he says there are some tests that will help:
1) The Test of Love- Does your dream pass the Love test? If it is not about you, your significance, fame, or your benefit alone, but it is about God, it would pass this test. If it is God driven you will benefit from it, but so will others. It may possibly come with a cost attached either of time or money, maybe both.
2) The Test of Time- Does the dream linger and quietly pursue you? If one idea rises persistently above others and just will not leave you there is a good chance that it is legitimate and has passed the time test.
3) The Test of peace- Do you feel excited about it or overwhelmed and fearful about the dream. The dream is one you feel passionate about, but it is not burdensome to your spirit. Do you have weighty but prayerful peacefulness?
4) The Test of Faith- If it is God-directed it could be bigger than you, or your abilities and resources. The dream will only be possible by faith in God that results in His endorsement.
5) The Test of Confirmation- Some people won't support your dream, even without saying so. They may think it is pie-in-the-sky. Won't happen. Some may even oppose it. "But if wise, godly, prayerful people support the dream they will confirm that it is God's voice and not your ego speaking.
6) It's in God's Hands- The final test is to realize that the dream is truly in God's Hands. St. Ignatius writes in--- "Spiritual Exercises" ---that there are three kinds of people. "The first know they need to make a decision before God but never get around to doing it. The second bargain with God, ensuring they get at least a little of what they want while feeling they've taken the matter to Him. The third group seeks God's will alone. Their first priority is not what is decided but who decides it." That is a good image to keep in mind when pursuing your dreams.
Are there times when we should let go of a dream? Well, there is no definite answer to this. We don't want to give up. We are not a culture of quitters. So, no…doggone it we are not gonna let go of that dream. But here are a few things to think about, not that they are being shared to make you give up a dream, but there are some considerations that Voysey feels may shape your thinking.
1) Did God Say No? Voysey clearly states that "not all unfilled dreams need to die." Sometimes we need to wait on them. Some need to be rested. There is the possibility that God has something else in mind for you, not this particular dream.
2) Would pursuing the dream be damaging to you? If pursuing the dream with unsuccessful results for a very long time, so that you are consumed by the chase and can't have peace of mind, it may not be God-directed.
3) Is pursuing the dream damaging to your relationships? Has it been placed so pre-eminently in your life that it supersedes relations with your wife, family, friends, co-workers, etc? If it is destroying relationships it might need to be reevaluated.
4) Has the dream become your idol? Has this dream become the only thing that can fulfill you? Does your life totally revolve around it? Only a real God can fulfill all your needs.
5) Does the dream interrupt your true vocation? Is it forcing you to do something that is not your true calling. Remember it first must pass the test of love.
6) Should you relinquish this dream for others? God will not call on you to abandon a dream of His design, even if it is one that takes a while to come to fruition. But you must be alert to the possibility that God may call you to drop this dream or at least put it way back on the back burner. He may have something more important and current for you to do right now.
Just remember as Paul said when he wrote his letter to the church at Galatia keep doing the things that are good and right. Those are the ones that are God-directed. Those are the ones that will enable you to reap a harvest.
The Life Application Bible says: "Every action has results. If you plant to please your own desires, you'll reap a crop of sorrow and evil. If you plant to please God, you'll reap joy and everlasting life. What kind of seeds are you sowing?" These will be revealed when the crop is harvested.
When you are thinking and praying about where your dreams will lead you and wondering if they are designed by God, then Tony Dungy has one piece of advice to consider that is important: "Sometimes the missing ingredient to your dream may just be perseverance."
So, pray hard, in faith, and God will direct your path.
Prayer: Lord our dreams are important to us so we pray that You will help us determine which ones are coming from you. Amen!