Daring to Dream

Dreams. The word can conjure up different ideas to different people. One person’s dream is another person’s nightmare. A simple example is some people love to argue or debate while others run from a conflict, even a friendly one, as fast as they can. One person loves standing in front of a crowd to share their story, while someone else would hyperventilating while breathing in a brown paper bag if they needed to speak in front of more than one person.

Here’s the beauty of how God created us. We are each made for a different dream, a different path. No one else has the exact same dream. Of course, there could be similarities, put God has created you, yes you, for a unique purpose. I’ve written other posts on how to find or begin looking for our purpose, so check those out if you need some direction.

What do we do when we have a dream, a dream others think is located in Crazy Town, just past the exit to Looney Village, and we have no idea how to start reaching for the dreams that God has placed in our heart? What’s the first step? Is this even the way I’m supposed to go? Should I have exited before Looney Village, at Safetyville?

My first course of action is to check in with God. Yes, dear reader, you are probably tired of this as the first step in most of the blog posts, but it’s the best place to start. Really, I promise. Give it a try. In James 1:5 (NIV) it says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” The answer will be forthcoming, but God could be craving time with you and the answer might not come in the first five minutes of sitting quieting in His presence.

The second step, after spending some one on one time with God in prayer and journaling, is to consider asking for direction of those around you. My husband is an amazing sounding board, among other things. I’m the type of person to get easily distracted by the latest shiny thing and I’ve learned to convince myself a new class, electronic gadget, or business partnership is the next step in my journey to achieving my dreams. My excitement has a tendency to carry me away and I think with my heart, rather than my head.

When I take a step back, explaining the idea or thing to my husband, he gently reminds me of the dream I put on paper and shared with my family last year about becoming a fulltime author, blogger and coach. Then my husband will ask, “How does this fit in with that dream?” Most of the time, I have to admit, it doesn’t fit in at all.

Therefore, the decision to pass on that thing I didn’t think I could live without becomes much easier in the light of my dream. The Bible says, in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, (NIV) “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Find someone to help build you up as you dare to reach for your dream. If you don’t have a close friend or family member to be sounding board, consider joining an in person or online group of like-minded people who support your dreams. Or give me a call, I’d love to build you up and encourage you.

The third step is to take a leap of faith. Sometimes, I get so caught up in the fear of making a misstep, I don’t take a step at all. However, in Joshua 1:9, (NIV) it says, “Have I not commanded 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.” See, instead of freaking out that I will make a mistake or go in the wrong direction, I need to rest in the peace that God will be with me wherever I go and won’t let me go off course too far unless He’s using it as a growth opportunity. I can trust that if I’ve done step one and two in my dare to dream exercise, I know He won’t let me go. I also need to accept that I’m human and will make mistakes. It’s not if, it’s when I make mistakes and how I deal with them that helps me grow on this journey to the dream God has placed in my heart.

Share in the comments below what steps you’ve taken or are going to take in your dare to dream so we can encourage you.