Being big. When we think of being big, especially when considering ourselves or our bodies, it has a negative connotation.
Then there is the opposite side of the coin. We hear the saying, bigger is better, right? My other favorite saying is, go big or go home.
Could going after the big thing be a bad thing?
On this blog, we talk about pursuing our dreams, obstacles to pursuing those dreams and how to overcome them, along with a host of others things which influence our thoughts. But, I have a question for you.
What happens when we make our dream an idol?
God has given us dreams. Yes, I’ve written about it multiple times. But how do we keep from holding onto our dreams tighter than God wants us? How do we keep our hopes from turning into idols instead of the gifts God has given us? Here are three ways:
Keep a loose grip. Think about how your hands feel when you have a tight grip. They hurt, feel strained, or we get the dreaded blisters. Now, think about when we have a loose grip. It leaves us open to enjoying whatever we are hanging on to in hopes of achieving our goals.
In Proverbs 16:9 (ESV), it says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Consider this in the context of our dreams. When we have a loose grip or open hands or allowing God to establish our steps, we are offering our desires to God. It hasn’t become more important than Him. We are leaving it open for Him to add to it or possibly take it away for a season. Either way, we are surrendering it to Him.
Let go. When God does take something away for a season, we need to let it go. In Psalm 55:22 (NLV), it says, Give all your cares to the Lord and He will give you strength. He will never let those who are right with Him be shaken.”
Turning things over to God is not an easy one for me. There was a time in my life when I was a firefighter. Due to multiple injuries, God told me I need to let go of this part of my life. For anyone who has loved what they do and then have it taken away, it can be difficult to handle in a dignified way.
Dignified, I was not.
I cried. I pleaded with God to heal my body enough to allow me to get back on the truck with my crew. Pretty much I was the epitome of a two-year-old throwing a temper tantrum in the candy aisle. I wanted to get back to firefighting more than anything else. Instead, I heard the word “No” repeatedly. Firefighting wasn’t the path God wanted me to walk anymore. The lesson I needed to learn was letting go.
Rise above. We can rise above our desires, with the help of God. There is nothing we cannot do without God. Instead of allowing our dreams to control us, we can rise above them. Sometimes we drive ourselves to reach our goals at the cost of everything and anyone else.
Instead, God wants us to grow closer to Him as our dreams draw closer to fruition. If we pursue our goals with so much determination that it costs us a relationship with God, then the dream has required too much of us. It’s not about getting to the dream destination at all costs.
In Isaiah 1:19 (NIV), it says, “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;”
God is pleased with our obedience, not our achievements.
God is pleased with our obedience, not our achievements. Share on XAre there an area in your life where you need to keep a loose grip, let go and rise above? Share it in the comments below to help others.