I love the fresh start that the new year brings. And it’s a great time to dream, or a time to start dreaming again. Remember when you were a kid and dreamt about what you wanted to be when you grew up? As a child we dreamed about doing big things…anything seemed possible. Maybe you dreamed of being an astronaut and going to the moon; maybe you dreamed of getting married one day and having children, maybe you dreamed of serving others in ministry or foreign missions. Today I was reminded of a leadership retreat I led a few years ago and the theme was “Dream Bigger”. So, I’m encouraging us to not just dream, but dream bigger. Imagine doing that one thing, you’ve always dreamed about doing. If you had all of the time and money you need, what would you do?
I have no shortage of dreams that God has place in my heart. As I mention on my website: I want to write and publish a book, walk where Jesus walked in Israel, take tango lessons in Argentina with my husband, live in a place where I can have coffee watching the sun rise or set over the water, and empower and encourage thousands of women to live and lead authentically. And that’s just a start. I have so many dreams for my friends, my family, and my community! What are your dreams?
Sometimes we have great dreams, but we allow things to get in the way. But that doesn’t mean we stop dreaming. It means we learn how to face the obstacles. Here are a few tips to help you purse your dreams:
- Give yourself permission to dream. Don’t allow fear of failing, or what others think to stop you.
- Be intentional about pursuing your dream. Give yourself the space and time to dream. Write it down in a journal or create a vision board.
- Be persistent. Big dreams take time and perseverance. Be patient and don’t give up.
This month we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., who was a Baptist minister, activist and led the civil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his death by assassination in 1968. In 1963, during the March on Washington, he gave his most notable speech, “I Have a Dream” in which he emphasized his faith that all men, someday, would be united as brothers. He was calling for the end of racism. If you haven’t heard the speech, I encourage you to listen to it. I get chills every time I hear it. He had passion, faith, determination and a big dream! And while he didn’t live to fully realize this dream, that didn’t stop him from pursuing the work of ending racism. And what a difference his pursuit of that dream has made! Like Dr. King, sometimes our big dreams can inspire a movement.
At that retreat I mentioned, I gave everyone a rock with the word “Dream.” I keep mine on my desk as a constant reminder to dream God sized dreams. If you haven’t started, it’s not too late to dream about what you want to be true in your life in 2023 and beyond. What is God’s dream for you, your family, your community?
As you dream reflect on these questions:
- Is there a dream you’ve given up on or stopped pursuing?
- What would dreaming bigger look like for you?
- What are some things that get in the way of you dreaming and pursuing those dreams?
- Who can you share your dream with to help encourage and hold you accountable
- Who do you need to partner with to realize your dream? Your spouse? Your family? A friend? Someone in your church? Your community?
J
Join me in imagining fulfilling the big dreams that God has for our lives! Need help dreaming? I’d love to help you discover and achieve your dreams. Schedule a complimentary discovery call with me today!
