I’ll Keep My Dreams!

Scriptures: Genesis 1:26-31, John 1:1-3, Philippians 3:14, Jeremiah 1:5, Jeremiah 31:3, Isaiah 46:3-4, John 16:33, 1 Timothy 6:12

I’LL

“I’ll” is a phrase denoting a decision. Everything starts with a decision. In Genesis, the Bible chronicles God’s decision to create humankind in His image. God is spirit. So, He created us to be spirit beings possessing creative speaking power like His. On completion of creation, God declared all He created good.

Further expressing His commitment to humankind, God declared:

– I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)

– I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5)

– I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime…I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isaiah 46:3-4)

As wonderful as these declarations are, these weren’t the first words God spoke to Adam and Eve. His first words are of blessing, defining Adam’s and Eve’s purpose and declaring their dominion on earth. 

He empowered and expected them to reign. And they did — until relinquishing their authority to the enemy. Subsequently, Jesus came to earth to reclaim what had been lost. With His resurrection, Jesus defeated and made an open show of the enemy; reclaimed the lost authority; and transferred it to Believers. 

Despite the enemy’s defeat, Jesus knew the enemy would continuously target Believers for persecution. Jesus forewarned we would have tribulations in this world, but He had overcome them all (John 16:33).

Our mandate from God to reign remains. He’s equipped us to be overcomers. I’m inspired by Paul’s example. Despite being stoned, shipwrecked, etc., Paul’s confession was, ” I press on..”. His decision was ironclad. He knew great struggle and even greater triumph. We can read the Bible and observe Paul’s example. 

We can also mirror Paul’s ironclad determination, and say, “I’ll!”

Scriptures: Isaiah 43:1-2, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:3, Zechariah 2:8, Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6, Ephesians 2:10

KEEP

When I think of the word “keep”, the image of a hand grasping something tightly comes to mind. This simple action reflects a firm decision. 

God is the same and doesn’t change. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. When God designed each of us, His purpose for us preceded His design of us. This means He equipped us to be successful at being us — regardless of the challenges facing us.

Knowing the enemy is opposed to God’s work, should you be surprised by resistance to fulfilling your God-given purpose? God’s leading, not challenging circumstances, should be your compass. Listen to and talk with God to ensure you’re aligned with His plan for use of your talents. Get and stay aligned with His plan. Then, proceed as He guides. When (not if) challenges arise, trust God to keep His Word and keep you.

Remember God is the Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent One. As a Believer, you are His child, the apple of His eye. He calls you His and declares: 

– He’s with you when you go through deep waters;

– you won’t drown when you go through rivers of difficulty; and 

– you won’t burn when you walk through the fire of oppression (Isaiah 43:1-2). 

You, your dreams, and your talents matter! You have purpose to fulfill. God has designed you to fulfill your purpose.   

Believers believe. Keep your head up! Keep your grip on what God has given and promised you! 

Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:5, John 1:1-3, Colossians 3:23-24, Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 19:12-26

MY

God created you for a particular purpose. Too often, we look outside ourselves instead of inside to discover our purpose. With pervasive social media, it’s so easy to focus on other’s lives and esteem their accomplishments while dismissing our own. If we are experiencing difficulty being ourselves, it’s even more tempting to want to be and imitate others. We need to be wise. It’s one thing to follow others to gain insights on living lives that glorify God. It’s another thing to follow others in covetousness.  

Being yourself requires personal leadership. Times will arise when you’ll have to take a stand for your faith and your purpose that will put you at odds with mainstream  thinking. As Believers, we should follow Jesus. 

“My” denotes ownership of something. Someone else’s life and talents don’t belong to me. I’ve been blessed with my own life and talents.  I’m made to fulfill a specific purpose. Though I can be skilled at doing other things that may be good and pay well, if they aren’t essential to my purpose, I’ll likely sense a feeling of dissatisfaction. 

My fulfillment and my purpose are connected. How can I be at peace being me if I’m not doing what I was created to do? I’m accountable to God for how I use my (and not others’) talents and life — no excuses will be tolerated. After all, who wants to join the ranks of the fearful steward chronicled in Matthew 25 and Luke 19?

Scriptures: Psalms 37:4, Ephesians 2:10, Proverbs 22:29, Proverbs 18:16, Romans 4:18-21, Hebrews 10:23, Luke 1:37, 2 Timothy 2:13

DREAMS

What societal issues move you to tears, joy, indignation, etc..? Such feelings are clues to your purpose. Your purpose comes from God, and you are created to be a solution to some need in the world that matters to God. 

Stated differently,  your solutions to world needs are dreams that come from God. Your target may be as laser-focused as one person, as broad as the world, or somewhere in between. Your dreams matter. 

Remember, God equipped you to succeed in addressing needs connected to your gifting. Whatever your gifts, no matter how insignificant they may appear to you, they are powerful. Your gifts have the power to overcome the needs pitted against them and propel you to amazing levels of success.

Various translations of Proverbs 18:16 speak of the ability of gifts to make room for you and bring you before great people.

I believe your greatest fulfillment and success are found in execution of  your gifts and God-given dreams. The same God who gave you the dreams is well able to bring them to pass (Hebrews 10:23 and Romans 4:18-21). Especially when circumstances seem to be most bleak, let’s be like Abraham and entrust our dreams to God. 

God is faithful!

Scriptures: Habakkuk 2:3, Joshua 1:9, Isaiah 43:1-2, Isaiah 46:3-4, 1 John 4:16-17, Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Timothy 6:12

ENCOURAGEMENT

Dreams and gifting are also provocative. Just because you’re gifted, doesn’t mean success will come easy or fast. You will likely have to fight for it — the good fight of faith. Recall Joseph (who journeyed from the pit to the prison to the palace)…consider Ruth (who transitioned from wife to poor widow to heiress)…and think of David (who moved from shepherd to champion to fugitive to king). 

Interestingly, their challenges provided platforms for demonstration of God’s glory and salvation. Joseph’s slavery positioned him to engage with Pharaoh, demonstrate his gift of interpreting dreams, and ultimately become Prime Minister. Famine positioned Ruth to demonstrate her gifts of love, diligence, and loyalty, gaining restoration for her family and her inclusion within the lineage of King David and Jesus the Messiah. David’s triumph over Goliath showcased God’s might and God’s selection of a king after His own heart. Intimidating circumstances became setups for God’s glory and plans. 

Where are you in your journey of dream fulfillment? Wherever you are, God is with you. Please don’t reduce God’s proximity to your feelings and circumstances (which are changeable and temporary). To know God is to know His Word, the Bible. God and His Word are one. God and His Word are true. 

Know, receive, and trust God’s love. He will never leave or forsake you!

Trust His timing. Though your God-given dreams may seem to tarry, they will come to pass in due season. Hold on! Keep your grip on what God has given and promised you!

Thanks for completing this plan!