Garden Variety Neurosis

How big do you dare to dream?

When we saw "The End of the Spear" on Saturday, I found myself crying through most of the movie. Certainly the story in itself had woven a tapestry of tragedy and joy, but the sadness I felt reached beyond the familiar story playing out on the screen. I remembered my days back in Bible college, hearing stories of this very mission, hearing the words of Jim Elliot echoing through the halls of the campus, and I felt called to something so big...and yet, even then, I still felt hampered by the grind of the day to day, wondering how I would make it all work.

As I sat there watching the movie, I was challenged with the question, "When did my vision become so small?"

I was further challenged with the idea that perhaps it is not that my vision has become so small, but that it was possibly not that large to begin with.

Ephesians 3:20-21 reads:

"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 Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen!" (NIV)

There is a subtle challenge here. The challenge to dream big dreams. Dreams that are so far beyond what we can do for ourselves that it takes the power of the Creator of the universe to make those dreams a reality.

I like the Amplified version...

"Now to Him Who, by consequence of the action of His power that is at work within us, is able to carry out His purpose and do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think--infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes or dreams--to Him be the glory...forever and ever. Amen."

Sometimes, I feel God calling to me, "Stephanie, come dream with Me for awhile." And in those moments, when I allow myself to sit with Him and just dream, all the things that keep me from dreaming big dreams with God seem to slip away, and nothing seems impossible. Indeed, with God, nothing is impossible.

Do you dream? Are you dreaming big enough?

// posted by Jaden's Mom @ 1/25/2006 10:09:00 AM