I love this quote from the book my Sunday School class is studying: " God refines your dreams." As you live your adventure, what are some of your dreams? Perhaps you have lost sight of a dream you had earlier in life. Maybe you thought it was too big and just gave up. I know I have missed out on opportunities the Lord gave me because I thought I was surely the wrong person or would fail if I even tried. Obviously I had forgotten that the Lord equips those whom He calls.
Thank God that He refines my dreams! Do you know what it means? It's so exciting! By definition, to refine is to "remove the unwanted substance (impurities) in something." Well, I guess now is a good time to admit that I have had dreams in the past that certainly had unwanted substances in them. Pride, for one. Have you ever, like me, wanted to do something, claiming it was for the Lord, but really, secretly, you were anxious for the kudos that you would get from it? Friend, that's when the dream turned into a nightmare. My own selfish ambitions and quest for glory took over and marred what God had planned. Instead of hearing, "Well done, my good and faithful servant," it was more like, "I'm God. I will fix this mess you made." Ugh. It's shameful to have to admit.
Another definition for refine is "to improve by making small changes." I love that! Each day God makes small changes in me and my dreams. I have an obligation, though, to seek Him each day. I must spend time reading His Word and praying. I have to actively interact with my God and have a real relationship with Him. I can't just sit around and wait. Isn't it encouraging to know that His mercies are new every morning? The Bible says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23. Those shameful events and attempts I have made do not consume me. He is full of compassion and showers new mercy on me with each beautiful dawn of a new day.
I suppose you can tell that this chapter of this book has made an impact on my life. Another quote, "God multiplies what He assigns," gives me momentum to get up and get busy. I have dreams bigger than my head! Dreams I surely didn't come up with on my own. Yes, there are times when I try to tell the Lord He has the wrong girl. He, however, gently nudges me onward and assures me I am His choice. You know what? When I get going with the thing He has laid before me, it is so easy, even when it's hard! When I focus on Him and do what He has given me a desire for, I am more than eager for the glory to go to Him. When I let Him lead the way, I don't have nightmares, but beautiful revelations and glimpses of heaven. I can't wait for Him to give me more!
What about you, my friend? Has God given you a dream of adventure with Him? Why don't you step out and do it? I know, I know. It's easy for me to say, right? No. I am going to be very honest with you. When the Lord gave me the idea for this blog, I quickly let Him know that He was crazy, but the idea wouldn't go away. Timidly I stepped out and began to write. I love to write. It was always a favorite subject in school. Writing for the world to read was another story altogether. But God. I asked, and he gave me quick and clear confirmation that this was His idea, not mine. I get such joy from writing. However, when I start to think about another post, I can easily convince myself that there is nothing I could write that anyone would want to read. And then I am amazed and astonished at the encouragement I get back from my friends who do read. Thank you. Thank you for encouraging me to do what God has called me to do.
What is that idea that gets you so excited? That passion God has placed in your heart? What is it that you think God must be crazy to ask you to do? How can I encourage you in your adventure?
No comments:
Post a Comment