What's Your Dream?

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you

and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

I love this verse. In fact, it's my life verse, you know, the one you go back to when you need to center yourself and remember who you are and what your place is in this world. 

This blog is about living a Christian life of service. Somehow I've forgotten that part of that is living the dreams that God has put in my heart. So I'm trying to remember and focus on that dream, and look for ways to make it happen. Here's how I think I can do that (you can too):

1. Declare it out loud.  My dream is to be a writer. There, I said it - wrote it, actually, but it's out there now. That makes it real. It also lets people know about it. These are the people who will encourage you, pray for you, and support you in your quest for your dream
2. Commit it to it's Creator. You can be sure that if God has placed a dream in your heart that He has a purpose for it. It is His intention to somehow use it for His glory. Every step in the achievement of this dream should be dedicated to Him. We can never forget who gives and fulfills our dreams. 
3. Expect God to use it in ways you have not considered. God's fulfillment of your dream may look vastly different from you idea of success. For example, my dream is to be able to write for a living. I would like to be successful enough that I could strongly support some ministries and be more involved with some service organizations. Nothing wrong with that vision, unless, of course, it's not synced up with God's vision. His plan may be for me to write but never be published. I have to trust that He will use the gift He's given me in the best possible way. He knows best. 
4. Work hard, learn and practice. What do you need to do to achieve this dream? Do you need to learn a skill, start something new... One of the things writers must do is build a platform. Part of that is this blog. It takes time, thought, perseverance, and at times a little bit of courage. Step out and do it. Make a list, get someone to hold you accountable and set some goals for yourself. Never stop learning.
5. Chase it.  In September I'm going to a writer's conference where I will have 2 meetings with agents, one of whom may actually choose to take me on as a client. In addition to that I'll meet many of the people I've been on line with for over a year: writers, editors, agents, publishers, people I would not normally meet. I'll be in conferences and workshops with them, attending panel sessions and worship services. I have lots to do to get ready. I'm excited. I'm also scared to death. That is soooo out of my comfort zone! But then, this dream is outside of my comfort zone too. Which brings me to the next point...
6. Any dream God gives you can only be accomplished by His power. Is your dream God-sized? It's not if you think you can do it all by yourself. If it doesn't take faith and trust in His promise in Jeremiah 29:11 then you're not chasing a God-sized dream. 

I'll be sharing more of my dream with you as time goes on, because I would appreciate your prayers and because it is part of my spiritual journey. One other point...

    7. Thank God in advance - right now - for the fulfillment of His dream. God never starts anything that He doesn't intend to finish. I have that promise and that assurance that the work He begins in me will be completed. I don't know when or how right now, but that doesn't matter. I will thank Him for the dream and for the realization of that dream right now, and for the privilege of begin His vessel in this great plan. 

What is your dream? Will you declare it here? Leave a comment and share with us. 

I'm praying for you.

Sherri