Why dream?

"Dream a dream so big that unless God intervenes, it will fail."

- Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, founder of China Inland Mission

WHY DREAM? Because you are a human treasure box with hidden riches inside of you that God desires to bring forth!

Welcome to Part 2 of this August theme! Dreaming with God for our lives can be healing, strength, and a positive focus to persevere and overcome our inner struggles.

I am curious - what slumbering dreams inside of you does God want to awaken?

Dreaming can be like pulling to the surface some of the most unique and greatest parts of who you are. Be on an adventure of discovery of what dreams are still within you - and new dreams God is stirring up! Your fulfilled dreams can be a gift to this world, bringing God's transformation!

I'd like to tackle a common question as we move through this month:

How can I discern whether a dream is from God?

There are many kinds of dreams we can have, such as fun dreams, career dreams, and travel dreams. I would not discount any positive dream, as time, prayer, and steps of faith will reveal whether it is from God OR if God loves your idea and wants to help you achieve it.

I believe the Lord is interested in all of our dreams, though He will guide us along the way in His timing as we surrender our dreams to Him. We never want our dreams to become idols where they become more important than obeying and following Him. Remember, God delights in giving us the desires of our hearts—hearts consecrated to Him! And He wants you to release all the goodness He has deposited in you to the world.

Remember King David, who wanted to build a temple for God? His son Solomon fulfilled his dad's dream - a dream that did not originate with God—yet God liked David's idea and helped to fulfill it! This is where a partnership with God is activated.

Consecrate your life to the Lord and surrender it all to Jesus regularly. Grow in recognizing and hearing the Lord's voice as He speaks to you. Remember that His sheep hear His voice! God will be faithful in confirming and directing you as you seek Him.

Sometimes, we may have given up on a dream or forgotten about a past dream that we assumed was conjured up in our own minds. However, God often resurrects seemingly dead dreams years later, helping to fulfill them with signs, wonders, and miracles.