one of the things i’d like to chronicle on this blog is what we’re reading for a Bible study i’m in with an amazing group of women. we’re currently reading the dream giver by bruce wilkerson, which happens to fit well with visioneering by andy stanley (a book city lights is reading). here’s a recap of what we’ve discussed the past 3 weeks.
week 1:
sometimes we discover a big dream that God has placed on our hearts, but then we’re tempted to think that it’s too big for us. at least, i feel that way at times. God will show me something and i’ll be like, ‘really? me? are you sure??’ but God created me as a unique person because i have a unique role to play in His bigger plans. my big dream is part of something larger. i may not know the details of my dream yet, but knowing that it’s from God is motivation enough to pursue it. psalm 139:6 says, “in your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.” God knows what he’s up to. i believe that. philippians 3:12 says, “not that i have already… reached the goal; but i press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” God has placed dreams in my heart, but it’s up to me to seek Him and claim those dreams for His glory. i haven’t reached the goal yet. i don’t see the big picture. but i can put one foot in front of the other, trusting that God has created a path for me.
week 2:
sometimes, in order to do what we are most passionate about, we have to face that which we most dread. this is true of me. my greatest desire is to minister to God’s people through love, to be one of His lights in the world. my greatest fear is what people might think of me. to follow the desires of my heart, i’ll have to face my fears. courage is choosing to act in spite of fear. 1 corinthians 1:27-29 says, “but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, so that no one might boast in the presence of God.” this passage speaks to me in two ways. first it reminds me that though i am small (or at least feel that way), God can use me for big things. secondly, this paradox is precisely what brings God glory because it speaks to His presence and power in the situation. can i do my big dream alone? no. can i do it with God’s help? yes. so His is the glory.
week 3:
when we face our fears, we break out of our comfort zones. it’s interesting, because my comfort zone expands each time i break out of it. moving to baltimore knowing only one person was totally scary for me, a country bumpkin. (no, i don’t really think of myself that way, but stick with me). now i’m very at home here. comfortable even. i’ve expanded my borders. but these actions and decisions we make to pursue our dreams may threaten others’ comfort zones as well, causing them to discourage us from moving forward. in times like this, it’s good to listen to the concerns of those who love us, but ultimately we have to choose who we will follow. galatians 1:10 says, “am i now seeking human approval or God’s approval? or am i trying to please people? if i were still pleasing people, i would not be a servant of Christ.” i know i’m a people pleaser. but my desire to please God is greater, so i need to make choices that reflect that. as the minister i heard sunday put it, “i have an audience of One.”
lauren laughs 