Pre-notes: I was going through old documents and found this article I had written 8 years ago. I hope it is an encouragement to you. It actually came straight out of my prayer journal from that time in my life. Yet it is so relevant to the different seasons into which you step... For to everything in your life there is a season., a time for EVERY purpose… Recognize this when your heart is discouraged because the dream looks like a barren field. Those seeds that lie beneath that soil are in development where no one sees - intimacy with the ground: and a change must occur in that place where no one sees before it shows up and breaks the soil.
Five years after I wrote this, I began to walk in the reality of some of those dreams I saw years earlier. Others are yet to be fulfilled. It’s only a matter of time…
But at the time I wrote this, my head was screaming to move, and my heart said wait. I obeyed, went through the fire, and looked back on the other side of things... seeing the promises unfold. Never give up hope. You are seasoned with fire in order to stand when the dream comes.
Sometimes it is being faithful where you are today, day in and day out. And the lessons unfold deeper than any textbook as you walk through things with the Holy Spirit (your daily tutor and guide). Many of my own preparation experiences involved animals, my family, and people that have come through my life. Each season developed something in me, and the word shed light on garbage I didn't need to take any further! It's like walking through doors into a brighter room, sweeter and more free than the last. But those "training" experiences stay with you when the text is long forgotten - like algebra equations from high school. Don't despise these stages for how short or long they are. Character is formed as your roots, so you’re not destroyed by the old man: pride, emotions, desires, fear, defense, the past, etc. (Don't misunderstand, we will always be moving from one stage to the next in maturity until Jesus comes) Is everything easy and perfect – no. But with each season, you are being prepared for more results and power in your life. Do not give up. Follow the voice of the Shepherd. His grace is sufficient for you.
Isaiah 58:11
The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.
"For he (you) shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."
- Jeremiah 17:8 (NKJ)
Chasing a Dream… Intimacy with God
In my heart, I have seen a dream, a vision of something bigger than myself. I believe you have too, and can relate. (Whether it be encouraging the troops, having a sweet marriage, a healthy body, a successful business, or raising up a generation of covenant-minded people through films and camps, teaching school to reach kids, healing folks in the medical field or psychology setting, whatever your call is…)
And if you are anything like me, you want to jump right into doing what you see in your dreams; and you wish you could have the end product by next week. Many Christians struggle in this area. We have a dream, get anxious and barrel forward, trying to make things happen. The only problem is, the vision never turns out when we force it into existence ourselves.
This is what God has to say to His people on the matter.
“I have heard you. And I WILL fulfill all that is in your heart. Do not fret and be distressed over the time between the promise and the promise made reality. Do not despise where you are, for it has vital purpose; I am preparing you for the promise to become reality.”
For me, I have often found myself say, “Well that’s great God, and I’m encouraged. But what do we do today, right now?”
His response: “Today, and in the mean time, I have called you (My people) to seek Me intimately, and to know the power of My resurrection (the Holy Spirit). I am saying, chase after My presence, not the dream. For the dream without Me is useless energy expended with no anointing or power. Stop! Quiet your rush and anxious desire to move; just desire and enjoy Me intimately.”
“What? Just seek you?” I think we’ve always known that; but why is it so important?
“Because I am the vine, you are the branch. Without me you will bear no fruit.” (John 15:4-8)
Here you may say, “But I need the world to help me, to teach me how to obtain my dream, to be my example for success. What can God teach me about, say – money and investing, marriage, recognizing open doors? Or how does seeking God get me where I want to go?”
Do you know what God says about going to the “world” for help?
Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses (technology, etc.), who trust in chariots (this world’s way of doing things) because they are many, and in horsemen (mankind) because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!
(NKJ)
God is saying, do not rely on education, even Christian education, technology, our government, money, people, a romantic relationship, etc. For woe (much grief and misery) is the end of your labors. (Dreams obtained by the world’s method have to be kept by the world’s method. Consequently, there is sorrow and ultimately failure.) But as you seek God for His presence, He will satisfy you, give you instructions to follow, and will anoint your obedience.
Luke 10:38-42
38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
42 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (NKJ)
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