You’ve Got a God-Given Dream…Now What?

You’ve Got a God-Given Dream…Now What?

He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing. (Ephesians 2:10, MSG)

God has created us to join him in the work he does. It all starts with God speaking deep in our hearts.  It takes a lot of honest reflection and a lot of discerning prayer to find our what God is calling each one of us to do. Frederick Buechener has said “The place God calls you to is where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

But what a blessing it is to have a God-given dream or life mission. Once it has born in your heart you just can’t walk away from it. But what next? How to proceed? The most important thing – once more – is to pray. I can’t emphasize the importance of prayer enough. All our life should be communication with our Maker. But especially when we are working in partnership with our Maker!

In prayer something shifts in our souls, we get ready to approach our dream the way God intended us to do it. Prayer, worship, and private meditation keeps our focus on God. When our perspective is right we are ready to approach anything.

Who among you fears the LORD
   and obeys the word of his servant?
Let the one who walks in the dark,
   who has no light,
trust in the name of the LORD
   and rely on their God. 

(Isaiah 50:10,NIV)

When we have received our God-given dream it is time to start the preparation phase. This might take years. Not something we want to hear when we are eager to go! But it is very much needed. Even apostle Paul (and Jesus himself!) had years to prepare before his public ministry.

Too many of us give up with the God-given dream because it seems to take too long to come through. We start doubting our sense of call: “Maybe it all was a fluke” or “What was I thinking?” But this is the time when the enemy tries to attack us and distract us from preparations. This is the time when we are tested whether we believe, whether we are faithful in small tasks. This is the time when we need to act in faith. This is the time when we need to restrain from any activity that would undo our preparations.

Too many of us get busy with trivial work that keeps us from preparing for the given task.  There are many good things in life that can distract us. We need to trust God and his wisdom in preparing us. God does not regret calling us to join him in his work. We need to learn to say no to be able to say yes to God’s best.

Just last night Rick Warren tweeted two very wise thoughts around this topic: “Nothing will sabotage your Life Mission faster than a wrong relationship” and “Be aware that many people want you to run THEIR race instead of the one God created you to run”.

Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God’s energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! (Philippians 2:13-14, MSG)

Gracious God,
Thank you for calling us into partnership with you.
Help us to discern our calling, our life mission.
Give us patient and obedient mind to prepare faithfully.
Sustain our faith to believe without seeing.
Be our everything!
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What is your God-given dream/Life Mission?

Be blessed, fellow pilgrim, as you chase your God-given dream! Believe, act, and obey according to God’s rich guidance!

Photo courtesy of David Biederbeck

6 thoughts on “You’ve Got a God-Given Dream…Now What?

  1. Mari-Anna, this is a topic that is dear to my heart. You're right that it takes time. I have a writing ministry and it grows little by little.

    I'm excited that you covered this right now because on February 1 I will be launching a free eBook called "Mapping Your Future: Discovering God's Unique Purpose for Your Life." It is a workbook to help people discover or re-discover God's purpose for their life. I'll be going through the material on my blog for the next few weeks. I'll probably link back to your post at some point as I discuss the topic. Thanks for your insights. Blessings!

  2. How exciting, Christy! Thank you for sharing the info. I'll be looking forward to reading your blog posts. God bless you as you follow your calling in writing ministry. I'm delighted to connect with you, too. God is amazing!

  3. This post describes the route my life has taken. God gave me his dream for me when I was 16; only now, in my early 50's am I actually beginning to fulfill it. Thank you for your amazing post, Mari-Anna!

  4. Authentic Light,
    Thank you for sharing your faith journey with us! God's timing is little different than ours! May you continue to be truly blessed as you follow God's plan for your life!

  5. Wow guys!! This could be one of the most fascinating information My partner and i ever before read through! Invaluable. Continue the good work.

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