Providentially Persistent Dreams September 13, 2011

            Everyone dreams; 3, 30, 90, no matter what age we all have desires, goals, regrets, that consistently drift through our minds. It’s part of our nature to have wishes and longings; often about changing the past or the future. Many times we see these dreams as flighty or impossible, destined to be on instant replay in our daydreams but never to be fulfilled. We seem too small; the obstacles seem insurmountable, what are the odds? I think it’s easy to look at the Biblical stories and see God’s hand—hindsight is 20/20. But I think its beneficial to re-examine those “flannel-graph epics” in light of the humans involved. Not that we forget God’s non-negotiable role—rather to remember we are just as human, He is just as sovereign and good. Take Abraham—you think he had a sense of adventure—wanted to know what was outside of Er? Maybe that nudge to go and trust God to lead him was there for years, decades. And David, what little boy doesn’t dream of killing a lion or bear, or slaying a huge foe?

            Personally, I all too easily give up on my seemingly impossible dreams, forgetting that God “knows the plans he has for me, to give me a hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11) and then (verses 12-14) I call upon him and seek Him. Have you ever stopped to think that maybe, just maybe, God planted those nagging dreams in your heart because they are a part of His plan; to bring them about as He “wills and works for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13)?  It takes true faith to trust as we pursue those dreams—Abraham had to take a step, David had to face the lion, grab the stones and sling. Our divinely appointed dreams take preparation—and our Father knows that, prepares us because the plans are His—long before we even have the nudges. Take heart, He wills the plans he has and will bring them about. He directs or steps (Proverbs 16:9). It is often in hindsight we see how He guided and provided—it will be there. Our job is to persevere in prayer, be faithful today; the future and its fruits are in his hands. In a sermon several years ago, Mark Driscoll related that “even if you are praying in God's will, you may need to persevere in prayer for God's timing. You may be praying for things that are fully in God's desire for you and that he would have you pray for. If they're not happening don't get discouraged and throw in the towel, but wait, because in addition to God's will there's the matter of his timing".

            For me, this has been readily apparent in the last few years, I have had the nudge to go to Kenya since I was 13, maybe even younger. There have been failed trips, timing issues, and of course financial obstacles. But the dream has never gone away; every few years or months it comes roaring back—not in condemnation that I haven’t gone, but a stronger conviction to go. Since graduating from college—I haven’t been able to shake it and more things have providentially fallen together to show me that this desire has divine inspiration—now, that doesn’t mean I WILL go, but that regardless of the outcome/fulfillment of the dream God is using it for my good, growth, and His glory. If the trip doesn’t happen soon, God is still sovereign over it-working in my waiting, sanctifying me. I have been blown away by His direction and guidance—awestruck that a middle school bucket list goal has carried through. Additionally, I’ve been convinced that God does know the plans he has for me—and will bring them about. My job is to obey in what I see and can do today. David had practiced for hours with that sling, probably never imagining that it was preparation to slay an actual giant—displaying God’s equipping of His chosen for His glory.

            I don’t want to give up on dreams.  I’m certain that the plans, dreams, and goals given by God will be carried out—by His hand as I obey daily; remembering that its not about me making them happen so I get a “Godly pat on the back, a gold star” but because He knows the plans He has for me and wills and works to bring them about. Whatever persistent, providential dreams are in your heart, don’t give up on them—persevere in prayer and trust in His timing, they’re in His hands.