We all have the ability to dream, yet somehow we have lost the courage to pursue them. Maybe our faith in dreaming has been shaken due to our circumstances, or by negative words that were spoken over us. Or maybe our dreams seem out of reach and far too big for us to carry.
Then, on the other hand, you have others who constantly dream. Their dreams change from day to day. They never want to settle, and they are more involved with the art of dreaming than carefully pursuing their dreams. Their dreams remain wishful dreams – they never take the steps towards the unfolding and the unpacking of their dream, because it’s easier for them to just dream for the sake of dreaming.
Then sometimes what we thought was a dream, ended up not being quite what we thought or expected. Which can be confusing, because we were following what we thought was the perfect dream for us. We tend to forget that sometimes we can outgrow a dream.
Over the years I have come to realise that there is an art to dreaming. I started off fearing the thought of pursuing my dreams when it came to my career. I feared failing, and I lacked the faith in myself and in God. Then, after a while, I felt God stir up my faith and renew my confidence in Him and in my abilities. I stepped out into the unknown, and carefully planned my steps leading towards my dream. God blessed every step I took, and as I stepped into the unknown, He strengthened my faith and my confidence. I felt this ease when I was embracing this new season of faith and of dreaming.
After a while, I felt restless in what I thought was my only dream. I felt God say at the start of this year “Dream again”. Sometimes we settle in what we think is the only dream we are allowed to have. Yet, God calls us to dream in Him, not just once, but according to His will and His plans for us.
THE ART OF DREAMING
1. UNDERSTAND YOUR PURPOSE
As the saying goes: “Purpose fuels passion”. When we understand who we are, and what our strengths and gifts are, we start to understand what we were designed and created to do. We will move with passion and with focus, because we understand our purpose.
2. HAVE VISION
When we have a clear vision, we have an understanding of what it is we are working towards. Having a vision fuels our purpose and our passion. Having a vision propels our direction, and determines the steps we take towards it. In the book of Proverbs it says, “People perish when there is no vision.” If we don’t have a clear vision or have no vision at all we often have nowhere to go, as we are constantly running around in circles with no end in sight.
3. HAVE THE COURAGE
Having dreams and the vision is one thing, but having the courage to take the steps boldly towards those dreams is another thing. Most people give up on their dreams because they lack faith and courage and they fear the worst. Sometimes, having courage means taking small steps of faith even though we may feel a bit fearful. Those little conscious daily steps of action builds up our faith and our confidence.
4. BE DISCIPLINED WITH THE PLANNING
As a creative the word discipline always makes me cringe! I suppose it’s because I associate it with the thought of being rigid and cold. However, I have come to realise that if we don’t create the structure, the steps, the goals, and the day-to-day outworking of our dreams, we won’t ever achieve our goals and we won’t draw closer to our dreams. Being disciplined creates a sense of focus, and it prepares our character for what lies ahead.
5 . FOLLOW GOD’S LEAD
God is the ultimate giver of dreams. He knows what we are called to do and what we are called to be. Therefore we can lean on Him, and ask Him to show us where to go, and how to go about it. He will give us the wisdom and the courage if we ask Him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
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