Looking back at 2014, I remember the post that kicked off this year, the one where I spoke my dream aloud: “I want to write.”
And
I still do.
I want to use meaningful words to bring real hope to real people. That day I wrote about turning my husband’s neglected study into a writing space for me. And eleven months later, it is beautiful. My stack of books on writing and communicating has grown taller over the past year. Recycled frames hold people I love, words that inspire me, and goals I’ve made. The same man who gave up his room found a bright, bold rug for my birthday this summer to complete this space. Oh, and one weekend when I wasn’t home, he painted the walls the perfect shade of blue. I love my writing room.
I want to use meaningful words to bring real hope to real people. That day I wrote about turning my husband’s neglected study into a writing space for me. And eleven months later, it is beautiful. My stack of books on writing and communicating has grown taller over the past year. Recycled frames hold people I love, words that inspire me, and goals I’ve made. The same man who gave up his room found a bright, bold rug for my birthday this summer to complete this space. Oh, and one weekend when I wasn’t home, he painted the walls the perfect shade of blue. I love my writing room.
I’ve
taken tiny steps and giant leaps this year because of this dream. I’ve started
meeting regularly with other writers. I’ve learned ways to communicate more
effectively. I flew across the country all by myself to pitch to publishers the
book I started writing two years ago. And some of those steps were really,
really exciting, but a bunch of them were hard. One of the most difficult was
calling myself a writer. As I sit here thinking about that dream, I’m surprised
at the tears that come.
None of the passion has left, but time has left me feeling powerless.
I’ve buried the dream underneath disappointment, frustration, and the busyness of daily life. But there comes a time when we all need to pull out the dreams we’ve hidden away in the bottom desk drawer, blow the dust right off, and remember why we dreamed in the first place.
Maybe you didn’t begin 2014 with a dream. Maybe it was a prayer, a plea of sorts. Maybe you’ve been asking since 2012 and you wonder if God even hears you. I tend to focus on myself in these situations instead of God. Maybe that’s where the tears originate from- my insecurities, my failures, my rejection, my limitations, my questions, my fears, my weaknesses.
Dusting off dreams means shifting our focus from our own inability to the God who is truly able.
Here are seven dynamic reasons to ditch those self-inflicted feelings of powerlessness. Remembering that God is able just might be the secret to reviving our tired hearts. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
None of the passion has left, but time has left me feeling powerless.
I’ve buried the dream underneath disappointment, frustration, and the busyness of daily life. But there comes a time when we all need to pull out the dreams we’ve hidden away in the bottom desk drawer, blow the dust right off, and remember why we dreamed in the first place.
Maybe you didn’t begin 2014 with a dream. Maybe it was a prayer, a plea of sorts. Maybe you’ve been asking since 2012 and you wonder if God even hears you. I tend to focus on myself in these situations instead of God. Maybe that’s where the tears originate from- my insecurities, my failures, my rejection, my limitations, my questions, my fears, my weaknesses.
Dusting off dreams means shifting our focus from our own inability to the God who is truly able.
Here are seven dynamic reasons to ditch those self-inflicted feelings of powerlessness. Remembering that God is able just might be the secret to reviving our tired hearts. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
1. God
is dependable.
In you our ancestors put their trust; they
trusted and you delivered them. Psalm 22:4
2. God is desirable.
What is more, I consider everything a
loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose
sake I have lost all things. Philippians 3:8
3. God is honorable.
Great is the Lord
and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3
4. God is unstoppable.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his
surpassing greatness. Psalm 150:2
5. God is undeniable.
At
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on
earth and under the earth and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11
6. God is immovable.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and
today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
7. God is imperishable.
You, Lord,
reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation.
Lamentations 5:19
Because of who God is, keep asking and keep dreaming.
If God’s ability rests in who He is, then His power is based on what He has accomplished. And here’s the really amazing part: God’s power is in us. Yes, inside us, and Paul says it’s already at work. The word ‘power,’ or dynamis in Greek, inspired Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist and engineer, to name his newly invented explosive “Dynamite” in 1867. Picture sticks of dynamite blasting through all the barriers that keep us from fully embracing our dreams.
When God’s power is unleashed, rocks move and the earth shakes. Matthew writes about such a time in his gospel. “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.” (Matthew 28:2) The earthquake didn’t move the rock; God’s power rolled that stone away and caused the earth to quake. And this same power raised a dead man to life.
I’m not saying if you just shift your perspective, all your
dreams will come true and your prayers will be answered immediately. That theology
would disregard the mysterious phenomenon known as God’s timing. Yeah, it’s His
time we’re on, and while some days that seems incredibly frustrating, it’s
actually for our good. Even Jesus had to wait three days in that tomb.
God always knew what would happen. Nothing and no one could stand in the way of His perfect plan. When Jesus walked out of that tomb, death and sin were defeated forever. And that same power resides inside those who believe.
God always knew what would happen. Nothing and no one could stand in the way of His perfect plan. When Jesus walked out of that tomb, death and sin were defeated forever. And that same power resides inside those who believe.
Because of the work
of God’s power within you, keep praying and keep dreaming.
Ephesians 3:20 is a beautiful praise offering to God. When
Paul wrote it, he made sure to point out that not only is God able, He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or
imagine. And it all revolves around the love of God. When God sent His Son,
He could have chosen to demonstrate His power in a myriad of other ways, yet He
chose a tiny, helpless baby who grew up to become a carpenter. The Creator of the universe chose to display
His power through Love. And this is so
crucial to understanding God’s power.
Whatever you’re asking for, God wants to give you so much more, so keep praying.
Whatever you’re asking for, God wants to give you so much more, so keep praying.
Whatever
you’re imagining, God has something far greater in mind, so keep dreaming.
Though my dream is still in the early stages, I’m reminded that 2014 also began with a prayer for a child. And not too far into the year, we thought that possibility was completely dead, even with medical intervention. Yet God wielded His power and shattered every doubt I’ve held tightly for the past eight years. And today I'm holding my sweet baby girl, a reminder of His goodness and faithfulness. I can’t deny this miracle that so clearly demonstrates the mighty, matchless power of my God. Who. Is. Able.
Though my dream is still in the early stages, I’m reminded that 2014 also began with a prayer for a child. And not too far into the year, we thought that possibility was completely dead, even with medical intervention. Yet God wielded His power and shattered every doubt I’ve held tightly for the past eight years. And today I'm holding my sweet baby girl, a reminder of His goodness and faithfulness. I can’t deny this miracle that so clearly demonstrates the mighty, matchless power of my God. Who. Is. Able.
This beautiful praise song Paul penned reaches a glorious crescendo with this: ”Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
What were you praying for one year
ago? What dreams were tiny seeds in your soul back at the start of 2014?
Consider writing down your dreams for the New Year, or better yet, share them right
here by leaving a comment. Let’s decide today to quit rehearsing all of our
inabilities and start trusting the God who is able to accomplish His will in our
lives.
May God Bless You Abundantly in 2015!
Love, Kelly
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