Day 30: Do you dare to dream?

I had a dream to write a book.  But it was a secret dream.  I didn’t share it because how many people actually write a book?  Why would I think I could actually do it when so many people much more talented have the same dream?

I dreamed of being a writer.  I kept that a secret.  I majored in accounting, a far reach from a writing career.  I read lots of talented writers.  I can’t write like them.  I couldn’t be a writer.

When Jacob was a baby, and I was working long hours during tax season, I wrote down my dream on a piece of paper that stayed on my nightstand for years.  If I could have my “dream” it would be to stay at home with my kids, have time to actually exercise, have time to actually take bible studies, and one day be the church secretary.  I didn’t even dare to write my other dream!  That would be far too embarrassing if anyone ever found that torn sheet of paper. Maybe in parenthesis I should have jotted (oh yeah and write a book one day).

I didn’t have the courage to write those words.

Over a 10 year period God has been piecing these dreams together.  Sometimes these dreams have come through intense pain, tears, and heartache.

Do you dream?  Do you dare to dream?  Do you avoid dreaming because you fear it won’t happen so you would rather not face it?  Is it too uncomfortable to allow yourself to dream?

Steve and I were discussing what it looks like to live a dream.  What does that mean?  I asked him, “Aren’t you living your dream?”

His reply,  “You have to know what your dream looks like before you can live it.”

He got me thinking.  How often are we identifying what are dreams are?  What do we fear in chasing our dreams?

If you dared to dream, what would your dream look like?  You don’t have to share it with anyone.  Do like I did, hide it in your nightstand under a stack of books where no one can find it.

The first step to living your dream is naming it.  Are you willing to feel uncomfortable enough to recognize God has placed dreams on your heart?  Dreams that He might want you to explore? Dreams that could glorify Him?

It’s not selfish to dream.

Just because you dream it doesn’t mean you think you are the best at it.  But don’t let your insecurities stop you from going confidently towards your dream.  God doesn’t need you to be the “best” at something in order to move you towards living out a dream that brings Him glory.

When my secret dream to write was revealed, I was astonished at the number of friends I have that are secret writers too!  So many people sent me messages that they too write and have words tucked away in the caves of their hard drives.

I’m not alone in hiding dreams in the secret places of my heart.  The question becomes is God ready for you to be courageous and boldly follow your dreams.

About 2 years ago, my friend sent me this ornament as a birthday gift.  I’ve looked at it daily.

First you have to know what your dream is before you can go chasing it.

Has God placed a dream on your heart that He wants you to explore?

[box] This is Day 30 in a series, 31 Days to Get Uncomfortable With God. Please click here for a listing of all posts in this series. If you would like posts delivered to your inbox, please click here.[/box]