Dream On Dreamer (Don't Give Up)

“Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Hebrews 10:35-36 (ESV)

There was a season of my life when I experienced a really deep depression…

It was a lot deeper than usual.

In that dark season of my life, I had a plan to completely isolate myself and give up… I didn’t want to do anything else with myself. I was about to give up dreaming, give up hope and just go the rest of my days with the attitude that, “it is what it is”, “whatever happens just happens”.

I had gotten to the point where I hated the idea of dreaming… Because felt like none of my dreams would never come to past… I was just so discouraged. I couldn’t see a way out of that pit of discouragement either.

I used to feel like I’d die sooner than I expect to. And I was angry at the thought of that… I was so frustrated with God for even given me dreams if that was going to happen to me… Like, what’s the point of dreaming if I won’t accomplish anything? And with that, I was so afraid that everything I ever thought I would accomplish in this life, I wouldn’t ever get to. And, that’s total let down.

I just want nothing more than to feel like I didn’t waste my life/time while on this earth. I leave and impact, man. I just have to shake this world with something before I go, you know? I just want to live before I die.

But I was once told by one of my brothers in the faith, “The strange thing is, you gott’a die before you can live.”

No doubt, I knew what he meant… And I honestly thought I had a grip on that idea until I had the same talk with a sister in the faith; she hit me with some truths as well, and that’s when God really woke me up. This is what she said to me:

“But what we want immediately isn’t always God’s plan for us. There’s a million “what ifs”, stressing about them all isn’t gonna do anything. God says in His word, there is no boasting about tomorrow. Things only come, God willing they come, and our only boast is in Him.

So you need to get over the idea that it’s about you and your desires. All things work together for the good of those who love Him, not themselves. Do what you gotta do to get to the next point but don’t be a sluggard about it and stop making you the center focus rather than God.”

The night I embraced that truth, He (God) changed my perspective and set me on a new course… He refreshed my soul, revived my spirit, gave me a new vision and told me to go for it – while taking heed to His instructions.

See, I was so fearful of dying before I accomplished anything that I eventually just doing anything to push my dreams forward… I somehow found myself in a desperate rush that seemed more like a panic… Truth be told, I probably would’ve drove myself insane trying to bring my dreams to past in my own strength. I went from not wanting to dream to taking matters into my own hands. That’s one of the most destructive things you can do with what God give you for His glory alone.

I just want to dream the way He instructs me to, now.

I want to dream for the glory of God and bear fruit that stands out for Him and His purpose, alone. And I know I will as I constantly remain connected to the Vine (John 15:5) and rely on Him through it all…

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need… So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:33-34 (NLT)

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:7-9 (NLT)

A few reasons to why I’ll continue to dream: I have gifts/talents that God has given me and then the fact that He didn’t give them to me for nothing – He WANTS me to use them for His GLORY.

Not only that, but I’ve recently started reading a book called “Reaching Your Dreams” by Tommy Barnett. I didn’t have this book when I was going through that tough season of confusion. But this book has made a serious difference in the way I see my dreams and the way that I pursue them too.

There’s something from the book that I want to share with you. Something that really spoke to me; something I saw as confirmation to things God has already been revealing in the midst of me battling with the doubt of my dreams coming true. I believe that if you are where I was, then this will help you out of that pit of doubt and discouragement as well:

“Everyone of us on Planet Earth was created by God to have a dream, a destiny and a reason for living. When God created you, He needed something to be done on earth that nobody else could do, so He designed you to do it better than anyone else. There’s a way that you give love that nobody else can duplicate; a certain way that you praise God that no one else can imitate; a certain way that you can relate to people; a certain way that you serve; a particular sense of humor you have; a particular way of singing, telling stories, building a business, designing, or decorating. You add something to this planet that no one else can add. God receives special pleasure from you that He receives from nobody else.” – Tommy Barnett, Reaching Your Dreams

And with that being said, I reflect on Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 12:35-48 and I’m convicted to dream on… I want be found working and not playing around, being idle, when Jesus returns.

“The Bible warns against keeping our treasure to ourselves. Jesus told a story about three men who received money to invest. Two of them put the money to work, and when the master came back, they were rewarded. But the third man hid his money in the ground, and the master took his “treasure” away and banished him from his presence. (See Matthew 25:14-30)

God gave you your dream for a specific reason. He wants you to use it to change the world, to bring glory to Him, and to accomplish something that will last forever.

What treasure lies within you? God knows the answer. He sees your dream clearly, even if you have not fully discovered it yet. You have within you a hope and a God-given future, a dream that will guide you to your destiny. None of us should delay in discovering that treasure inside of us and putting it to work. Don’t let life slip by while the treasure remains hidden away. Begin today to discover your God-given purpose.” – Tommy Barnett, Reaching Your Dreams

Man, if you have given up on your dream(s), don’t have dreams or just don’t know what they are, I encourage you to start digging inside yourself to find out what treasure lies within you. God’s put something in you… You’re not here for nothing.

And that is why I dream on… God gave me dreams to fulfill with a hope (Jeremiah 29:11) to fulfill them. He has a plan… And even if it doesn’t go the way I think/feel it should, I know His plan is perfect and that there’s a reason for everything.

It all works together (Romans 8:28).

And like one of my others sisters in Christ told me the other day, “You will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”