There are moments where the thought that I could die anytime at all strikes me silly.
I’m not worried about where I’m going. I believe God’s Word in 2 Timothy 4:18–He will deliver me safely into His Kingdom.
My (foolish!) concern?
I worry that I might die before I get to finish particular reading, study, and writing projects. I fear my dreams might be left unfinished, unaccomplished. And with that, I realize I have an idol issue.
God-Given Dreams Aren’t Meant to be Idols
In chapter two of You’re Made for a God-sized Dream, Holley Gerth asks:
“Why are God-sized dreams so compelling?”
Her answer offers swift correction for any dream-scheming:
“Because we powerfully experience God’s presence in our lives through them. It’s not about the destination. It’s not about what we will get if we complete them. It’s about the relationship.”
Fearing of missing out on our dreams before they’re achieved means forgetting what our dreams are all about. God doesn’t give us dreams so we can work for a trophy on a shelf. His dreams for us result in the prize of closeness with Christ.
God doesn’t give us dreams so we can work for a trophy on a shelf. His dreams for us result in the prize of closeness with Christ. Click To TweetGod-Given Dreams Are Meant to Be Eternal
The kinds of dreams God gives us are intended to glorify Him. They build up His Kingdom in one way or another. That means that pursuing our God-given dreams isn’t just about us.
Holley Gerth points out that:
“Ultimately you know the calling in your soul is about more, so much more than anything you might hope to gain from it.”
Our dreams are about Him. And He isn’t changing, failing, or going anywhere. Worship is and will be received by God forever.
Our God-sized dreams aren’t about the temporal. They’re designed by God to have an eternal impact.
God-Given Dreams Aren’t Threatened By Our Fears
Hopefully, your fears about your dreams are not associated with dying. (I know I’m weird!)
Maybe you worry instead that you’re going to miss out on your dream because of setbacks or surprising life changes. Fear of failure might be holding you back from even starting. Perhaps you fear because the dream just seems too huge.
There’s good news:
God can do all things. No plan of God’s can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)
His dreams for us may not look like we expect. Some aspects that we think are vital might not be. But we know that what He purposes, happens. God will complete the dream HE has given you, whatever that looks like in the end.
We can trust that God’s purposes for the dreams He gives us will NOT die, even when they are threatened.
How has God shown himself faithful and sovereign over the dreams He has given you?
{A version of this post was originally published here}
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Actually, I’ve had that same fear. I’ve had to remind myself that if my dreams are given by God and something He wants me to do, He’ll make a way. And I think of people who died very young while preparing for ministry or who died in their prime when they still could have done so much good, and I have wondered why God took them when He did. I don’t know, but I know it’s important to serve Him with the time and the gifts He has given. Those people were counted faithful because they believed in Him, loved Him, and served Him in the ways He laid before them with the time they had.
Oh whew, Barbara! I’m not the only one! Wow, it’s really helpful to think of people who died young and even in wondering why, being able to see that God used them mightily. Do you know Oswald Chamber’s story? It’s a remarkable example of this. Praise God he calls us to be faithful in the little things he gives us, in the time he gives us, and that He is glorified in that and not in how much we “accomplish!”
It helps me to remember that God is outside of time. Even so, that white knuckle grip on our plans and our days is hard to release.
By grace alone!
Me too, Michele, thank you. So hard to release that white knuckle grasp, but so freeing when we do!
Bethany, I am so grateful to have read this post now. A few minutes ago, I shared with a friend God invites us into His plans and activity and they are meant to be eternal. Whatever our part may be, He will be faithful to bring it to fruition.
Thanks for saying that, Joanne! Praise God for his timing- I’m sure your friend was blessed to hear that, and I was, too. What a gift that his work is meant to be eternal.
It’s so easy for me to think that my dreams have a goal other than Jesus. And maybe they do have secondary goals. But the primary goal of every dream from God is relationship. Thank you for reminding me.
Thanks for saying that as you did, Becky. It helps to think of it as primary v secondary goals!
Bethany, I’ve focused on my goals and lost sight that they are opportunities to experience Him. When they are in the right order, I have peace whatever He does with them. Thanks for bringing us back on center.
Debbie, me too. Isn’t it such a gift when we have that peace because things are in right order?
I’ve had that same fear – what if I die before I accomplish certain things? I love how you pointed out the ending of the dream is not the goal, the relationship along the way is what matters most.
I’m glad it’s not just me, Jerralea! So grateful eternity is going to be about our relationship with him, not what we accomplished, and we get to grow that relationship now.
That first quote from Holly’s book really struck a chord with me. Thanks, Bethany!
It’s a great book, Lauren! Thanks for joining in!
Thanks, Bethany! This is a really encouraging post. One of the fears I struggle with in connection with my dreams is the fear of failure and time and time again the phrase God has brought to mind is “the call is to faithfulness, not to success.” It’s reassuring to remember that God’s plans cannot be thwarted.
Lesley, I struggle with that fear, too! Thanks for sharing the phrase God brings to mind for you – I need to remember that. So reassuring.
Bethany, I have had the same thought about dying before I fulfill a dream, along with this one: “What if I’ve put this off for so long that it’s no longer a God-given dream?” Thank you for the reminder that God’s plans will not be thwarted, even if/when I fail to accomplish everything I think I need to do.
I’ve had that “too late/no longer” thought, too, Lois. So thankful God’s plans cannot be thwarted! (Also, thwarted is a weird word…but a good one!)
Beautiful message, Bethany. Love how you note God’s dreams are designed for eternal impacts! Yes! We dream best with God!
I love that God can use little old us in His designs for eternal things! Thanks for your encouragement, Karen!