God-Sized Dreams: A 30-Day Journey of Faith and CourageSample

Your Dreams Do Not Define You

“I want to be a speaker.”

“I want to be a parent.”

“I want to be a CEO.”

When we think of our God-sized dreams, they often involve roles that we believe will define us. Somewhere deep inside us is a voice that whispers, “You won’t really be anything until you’re a . . .”

Having something define us makes us feel more secure. It seems like it will soothe the questions and doubts within us. Yet the more dreamers I talk to, the more I see this is actually what’s true: a God-sized dream is more likely to refine you than define you.

Here’s what I mean. We start off on the journey with the idea that if only we can achieve our dream, then we will finally know who we really are and have what we really want in life. But God has his own agenda. You see, he’s already told us who we are.

Chosen.

Loved.

Wonderfully made.

(Just to name a few.)

And he’s committed to us hanging on to who he says we are because he knows it’s the only source of true security. Everything else can be changed.

Jesus told a parable about two men who decided to build houses. One built his house upon a rock. The other built his upon sand. When life’s storms came, guess which house was still standing?

God loves us too much to let us build our lives on foundations like "star employee” or “spouse” or “ministry leader.” He will never let you define yourself by your God-sized dream.

I see this unfold in two ways. The first is when a God-sized dream doesn’t come true. Through disappointment, a dreamer comes to see that what they really wanted isn’t going to happen. They reevaluate their life and discover that they're already enough because of who they are in Christ. They realize God has even better plans for them than they did for themselves.

The other scenario is when a God-sized dream does come true. It’s often then that someone realizes, “I thought this would fulfill me and change the way I see myself, but it hasn’t.” They becomes disillusioned with the dream for a season until it takes the proper place in their life—as a way they serve God with the gifts they've been given.

I’ve experienced both of the above with different dreams. Neither one is much fun at the time. But they also lead to tremendous freedom. Because as much as we may think we want to be defined, our hearts were really made to be free.

One day we realize the definition we thought would make us secure is really more like a prison cell that restricts us. It’s in that moment that Jesus stands before us with the key and says, “Come out, beloved, I have so much more for you. You don’t need this place to feel safe. Instead, you can have true security in me.”

When we step out of what we think our God-sized dream has to be and instead let God make it whatever he wants, we begin to change. Rather than being defined, we’re refined in ways that make us more like Jesus and lead us into his best for our lives (which is beyond what we can even dream).

That’s what opening the door to all God has for you really means. And there’s so much for you on the other side.

Go Deeper

Read the parable Jesus told in Matthew 7:24-29. He invites us to build our lives on his words, and that includes the truth about who he says we are.

God, it amazes me that you say I’m loved, chosen, cherished, and more. You speak to the deepest places of my heart. Help me to hear your voice and cling to what you say is true about me. When I try to place my security in things that can never really be depended upon, bring me back to the foundation you’ve already given me. Amen.

What’s one truth you want to remember?

What’s the next small step you’ll take?