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.
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God-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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LINKUP is open! This week, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath reminds us to remember the times God has shown Himself faithful over the dreams He has given us. Join us & share your blog!
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The post Can God-Given Dreams Die? {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

Did you learn to write using the sandwich strategy?

Although I’m sure Saul of Tarsus didn’t know this strategy, he did follow the pattern in the famous passage found in Philippians 3:12-14:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

In his introduction and conclusion, Paul gives us a thesis. In between, we find supporting points. This particular word-sandwich is meaty substance for faith-living. The wisdom Paul packs into this passage is a substantial feast for us! Especially as we set goals and make resolutions.

For “Wich”

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Paul had a clear purpose for all that he did, and he derived that purpose from Christ. In fact, by striving to take hold of the very thing Jesus chose him for, Paul makes it clear that God has chosen you and I for a purpose too.

Jesus took hold of us for a reason, and that should be our reason for being.

The Not Yet

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.”

We’ve got work to do to God’s glory every day we’re alive. As we set out to accomplish His purposes, we need to know that there’s going to be a “next” and “more” asked of us.

As we achieve many goals, the Goal is going to last until we’re with Jesus and perfected in Him.

The Leaving

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.”

Have you ever thought about what Paul left behind to follow Jesus? He had been a high-ranking, well-known man. His reputation, his life work, his community, even (in a sense) his religion, had to be left to strain ahead toward Christ.

We should expect that pursuing God’s purposes will involve leaving and losing, not just gaining.

The Pressing

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize.”

Add the previous verse’s “strain” to this verse’s “press on” and the point is clear.

Reaching a goal requires persistence and perseverance.

For “Wich”

“…for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Rounding out the sandwich-style wisdom, we are reminded of what needs to encompass our purposes. All the pressing on, all the leaving behind, all the not-yet of pursuing a goal is for a reason.

Our reason is ultimately Jesus, and our goal-setting is done best with Him as our focus.

May we be full with this wisdom in this season of change-seeking and resolution-keeping!

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The post Recipe for a Wisdom Sandwich {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.