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

Say Yes Anyway

As soon as you try to put words to your God-sized dream, more words will come. Words like, “What if...” or “What will I do about...”

There’s a part of us that insists, “You have to get all of those questions resolved before you take a step forward.” But if you wait for that, then you will never pursue your God-sized dream.

Because God-sized dreams are about faith.

If you are certain about everything, then it’s no longer about trust in the Giver of the dream. And what he wants most on this journey is your heart.

I’m not saying to plunge foolishly ahead. Do your due diligence. Pray, ask for wise counsel, and do practical research. But at some point, you have to actually do something.

When you do, it can feel like the world is going to explode. Your heart might try to beat out of your chest. Your mind could swirl like a little tornado. And you may think, “I’m not ready. I need to do more praying, asking, and researching.”

As soon as that thought comes to you, calm is restored. So you assume that must be the wise thing to do. But that’s not true. It’s the safe thing to do. But God-sized dreams aren’t about being safe. They are about holy risk, leaps of faith, putting yourself out there and into the hands of God, where you know that unless he comes through, you will fall.

When that fear hits, when you want to take a step back.. go forward instead. Tell yourself, “I don’t know everything. But I know enough. And more importantly, I know the God who knows it all. I trust him to guide me.”

When you do that, your heart will still pound—just maybe not quite as hard.

Your mind will still swirl—but maybe now with a bit of excitement mixed in too. Your knees will still knock—but your feet will be standing on solid ground.

And, most importantly, your faith will begin to be in charge rather than your fear. We want it to be easier. We want to get rid of fear and then take steps forward in faith. But it simply doesn’t work that way in the kingdom.

You have to take the first step when you’re still afraid. And when God comes through for you, your fear will shrink just a bit. The next time it will get a bit smaller again. All the while, your faith will grow.

Faith is experiential. That means we have to live it and not just think about it. As Scripture says, “Faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:26 NIV). And I would say that “fear with deeds is dead too.” You can’t kill fear instantly. You can only starve it by feeding your faith.

All of those questions that begin with “What if...” are scraps you’re feeding your fear. Replace them instead with “What then...”

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:31–32 NIV)

You have what you need to take the next step. You will never feel ready, but God has promised you all you need to move forward in faith. Leave the doubts behind and go with him.

All the way to your dream.

Go Deeper

Read Hebrews 11 for an entire list of imperfect God-sized dreamers who lived by faith.

God, you are the one who makes me more than a conqueror, no matter what I may face. Thank you for whatever you call me to, you will equip me for too. Sometimes my God-sized dream can seem scary, and I want to hold back. But I choose to step forward in faith and trust that you will provide everything I need along the way. Amen.

What’s one truth you want to remember?

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