Dreaming

My friend and I met up for a walk the other day. She lives right down by the river surrounded by the most beautiful natural park. We haven’t seen each other in awhile and it was high time we did some catching up.

She looked at me as we stared out and asked “So, do you want to go on the pathway or onto the trails?” I defaulted to her- knowing that she is much more fun than me and could only smile when she confirmed that fact with the word “trail” on her lips and a twinkle in her eye.

We veered to the right toward the beaten trail and as we were walking she started sharing her heart. She’s a dreamer, this friend of mine, and she’s recently started a new business. She shared how the idea for this business was birthed in her heart years ago and how with each step of the way, from then until now God’s hand has been in it. His quiet whisper has been there. His undeniable favor and blessing over all the details was so crazy to hear.

It’s the kind of story that just gives you goosebumps. The kind that you’re just like- “Wow God, I can hardly take the detailed expression of your love for her!” It’s the kind of story that makes you go “Whoa. I want that! I want to be a part of what you’re doing God! I want to live out my purpose!”

As we continue down the trail, closer to the river’s edge the ground got a little muddier. It veered this way and that. At one point there wasn’t even an obvious place to put one foot in front of the other without soaking our feet in mud, but we just laughed because we were adventuring together! And wasn’t it just like her story. Chasing her dream wasn’t like walking along the concrete pathway- it was more like adventuring through the tall grass and mud.

If her story taught me anything it taught me that dream chasing starts with a choice. She had to choose the trail. There was a stepping out. She then she had to actually DO the things that brought her to where she is now. She had to purchase the products. Make the website. Pick the pricing. She had to take the action to cause her dream to grow into what it is. Yes, her dream chasing got a little muddy, at some points she couldn’t always see where to put her foot down, but she chose to trust the leading of the Spirit. The voice that said “This is for you.” She chose to adventure with God.

After she shared her whole big beautiful story with me she turned to me and asked “So, what’s your dream?” Isn’t that awesome? Don’t we all just need a friend to call out the greatness in us? Being put on the spot was scary but after hearing her story for the first time in a long time I just said the thing out loud.

Gulp.

I want to write.

And shortly after all the excuse came. Lame, I know. But isn’t it easier to list all the reasons why you can’t take that first step then it is to just start? And when push came to shove I finally got out my biggest stumbling block. My biggest fear when it comes to writing: pride. I fumbled trying to explain it, and she tried hard to understand it but I just couldn’t explain what can happen in my heart when I write. It’s this messy mix between knowing I’m doing what I’m suppose to and the ugliness of arrogance that appears.

The next day she texted me screenshots from the book she was reading that adressed the EXACT fears I was trying to articulate.

“We are afraid of big dreams because we are afraid of ourselves. We are afraid of greatness because we are afraid of our arrogance. And yet, Jesus said of us “Whoever believes in me… they will do even greater things than these” (John 14:12)
~Restless, Jennie Allen

Isn’t God fun? What are the chances that she would read exactly what I was trying to put into words the day before?! Why does that even matter? Because it shows me my heart is important to our God. It matters because it spoke truth into the lies I was believing.

God is always inviting us into community. It’s his intention for us all to live life with others. We don’t have to dream our dreams and take the steps to follow them all alone. We get to link arms with one another and cheer each other on in our dream chasing. We get to pull out the greatness in one another and speak truth over lies. We are made to build each other up.

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Because, the truth is, God is writing something unique on each one of our hearts. He’s inviting us to take part in that. He’s uniquely gifted each one of us to accomplish his purposes through us. No one else can do what you do in the way that you do it. Isn’t that amazing?

I’ll say it again……. No one can do what you do, in the way you do it.

We are all unique. God has gifted each one of us in a way that is different from everyone else.

So, why don’t we just do the thing God has put on our hearts? Set our eyes on the trailhead and take that first step? Trust me, if you spend any time with someone who is living that out you’ll want to do the same.

So, what’s your dream? What has God put on your heart? What’s one way you can put your first footprint on the trail towards that dream?

Let’s do this together, one baby step at a time.