Dream It, Live It....

Decided to grab one of the sermons I have on CD from Pastor Steve Chiles this morning to listen to on the way to work. I grabbed the one titled Dream It, Live It. As I listened to the first one I am reminded of how I have not been able to 'live my dream'. The dream that hurts because I haven't been able to fulfill it.

In the message Pastor Steve talks about whether it is OUR dream, or is it GOD'S Dream for us. It makes me pause and think about that. What is, what has been, God's dream for me? Have I messed things up so badly that I will never achieve His dream? No, God can work through any messes I create, so I know that He can still bring about His dream for me.

Pastor Steve reminded me of the story of Joseph. He was only 17 and he had a dream of his brothers and his dad bowing down to him. He wasn't too smart to brag about his dream to them all, but when he spoke it, it brought reality to it. It set things into motion. His brothers got angry (or more jealous) of Joseph, throwing him into a pit, and then selling him to a caravan as a slave. Joseph ends up in Egypt, slave of Potipher, then gets put in prison for something he didn't do for two years. He gets out of prison when Pharaoh has a dream and no one can tell him what it means and the cupbearer remembers Joseph interpreting his dream two years earlier. Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream and becomes the 2nd in command in Egypt, overseeing the coming famine. His brothers bow down to him when they come to Egypt to get food.

God's dream isn't cooked in a microwave, God's dream is cooked in a crockpot.

It took 20 years for Joseph's dream to come true, but he had to speak it to put things into place.

If we have a dream, and we don't share what our dream is with anyone, we may never achieve our dream because we need others to set it into motion.

For example, it's like looking for a job. As a rule, the job won't come to you, but if you tell others you are looking for a job, they will keep your need in the back of their mind and if they hear of anything, they will think of you and let you know about it. If you don't share it, they don't know you are looking.

Or perhaps God gives you a dream of helping others. Right now you may not know how to even begin. Start by telling others your dream and look for ways to implement that dream. What do you need to know? Do you need to start in a food kitchen serving others to understand what the real needs of the people are? Are you more into serving by talking with them and directing them where they can get help? Start making a list of agencies and facilities that help those in need. Talk to these people and volunteer your services. Come to know what the real need is.

Perhaps you feel called to be a leader. Start reading, studying, learning on what it takes to be a leader in the field you choose. Get a mentor who will help you learn and will encourage you when times are tough. Look for someone who knows who you are that you can share that dream with.

I've had a couple mentors. I had Pastor Steve as my mentor for ministry. He has helped me, and still does on occasion, prepare sermons, understand situations, work through ministerial issues and other things. My friend Jan has helped me also in ministry, listening to issues I wouldn't share with my pastor but could with someone who is my "coach" so that she could help me work through those. Then I have my best friend, Sue. Sue has been my friend for over 20 years. We have worked together nearly all those years, and for some of those she has been my boss. Right now she is my boss at this new company, but there is one person, my director, between us. We don't get to talk as much as before, but we do try to get together once a month to walk and to talk about personal things and about work and its issues. Occasionally I can catch her in her office and we chat for a few minutes then, but work is always beckoning us so our chats are short. Sue helps me see the big picture on things involving my job. She listens to my rants and encourages me to 'hang on', changes may be coming down the road.

If I didn't share years ago about my call to ministry, that I felt that is where God was leading me, I would not begin and complete the process to become an ordained minister. I have shared my dream of being on staff at a church - a PAID staff member, so that I can give all my time to serving. In time, perhaps it will come to fruition. But then, was that God's dream for me, am I in the crockpot of waiting until time, or was it my dream because I love Him so much? Only time will tell.

If I hadn't shared I was looking for a job with my friend last year, she wouldn't have told me they had an opening and was I interested. I was, and I went through the normal procedures and received the job offer. I feel God has placed me here but I don't know why. I need to keep my mouth shut for now and listen to hear what He wants me to do here, besides all this work.

Do I have doubts along the way that God has called me to ministry due to all the frustrations that I have felt? Absolutely. I often begin to wonder if it was just me, was it just.... me. I don't think so, but feel that where I am now is where I am supposed to be. I can facilitate an adult class and I love doing that. I love helping others grow in their walk with Christ. Our new fall classes start next Wednesday and I am already praying people will come to the class. Last year I did a class and only one person showed up! But we did have class!! I enjoy teaching because it forces me to STUDY, to READ, to keep up on things I need to know. I have gotten so lax over the past few years. Oh I still read, but was disheartened by circumstances, so discouraged, that I was giving up. But now, I have something to look forward to once again. It encourages me.

And now a coworker has brought me some things to look at so I need to hush and help her. Perhaps that is what God has called me to do. At least for today.
Hope you have a wonderful day.

Blessings!