Dare to Dream
Do you remember what it is like to have a dream? I’m not talking about a taking a cruise or a winning the lottery. I am talking dreams of destiny that unfold in moments when we come face to face with God’s mirrored reflection of us, when we glimpse into the heart of who He created us to be.
Experiencing the place where passion and purpose collide, truth comes into focus and we glimpse what “could be. Those are the dreams I’m talking about. Dreams of purpose and destiny and a realization that “you are created for such a time as this”.
I want you to think back on those moments; how wonderful it felt, impossible dreams feeling possible. They are possible. I remember feeling so empowered excited and ready to conquer the world; then suddenly, the enemy of our soul begins to whisper thoughts rooted in doubt and unbelief. ‘Why would God wants to use you?” Those voices for me were fear of failure or rejection, secret shame, perfectionism and comparison to name a few. Life experienced through any of those lenses, cause to shrink from our true position in Christ and purpose for our lives. Your dimly burning wick the enemy tries to blow out. But God says “A dimly burning wick, I will not quench and a bruised reed I will not crush” (Isa 42:3) (a hint to recognizing the enemies voice.)
When we as women reside in the land of comparison, carry a measuring stick of perfection, and reject ourselves; it will cause you to despise the way you are fashioned and keep you in a cycle of defeat and hopelessness. Resulting in death to your dreams and hopes.
I love Psams 139: “He knit us together in the matrix of our mother’s womb.” I began to think of the knitting process. The thread carefully considered, then loop over loop perfectly laid.
When you are finished, you must tie it up so it will not come unraveled. It is done with precision and purpose. God did not leave any loose ends where you are concerned.
One of my favorite hero’s experienced the same thing we do. David was a man who experienced rejection & ridicule. Yes, David knew our battle. But David was a man who knew his identity & position in Christ which enabled him to fulfill the purposes for his life. When we get that heavenly perspective, identity ignites and we begin to declare our destiny!
Three things David knew!
1. David knew WHO’S He was – He spent years in the field getting to know God. There was no glory, flashing lights or praise during those years. Just he and God. Then suddenly he is sent. The first thing he experienced was the mocking and ridicule from his brother publicly. “Who do you think you are to come here? Did you leave the sheep behind little sheep herder?” When God gives you a dream that looks impossible, there is likely to be resistance. It may come in the form of thoughts or even accusations and often by those closest to us. It is imperative that we know, WHO put the ability in you in the first place! David may have been a simple shepherd boy, waiting in the field, but God was seasoning him in preparation for his purpose. David knew WHO’s he was and Who God said He was. What has God been preparing you for?
“Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defiled. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.” 1 Sam 17:25 & 50
2. David knew who HE was – He didn’t pretend to be something he wasn’t, and he never believed that who he was-wasn’t good enough. David spent time with God. We need to make time to spend in His presence. Intimacy. It is in those times that God will pull out His mirror and show you just how fearfully and wonderfully He has created you to be! God wants you to accept yourself, approve and embrace how he fashioned you. This is essential to walking in our destiny. Be like David, embrace your strengths, talents and resources. David knew his position in Christ even as a simple shepherd boy. Knowing his identity equipped him to fulfill the purposes for his life.
“And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.” 1 Samuel 17:34-36
3. David knew What he Was NOT – The voice of comparison and perfection silences and seals off the opportunities God wants to bring you into for His glory. Saul was trying to fit him with armor that wasn’t made for him! This is exactly what the enemy tries to do when we get stuck in the vortex of comparison and performance. This world will scream at you and tell you who you are if we refuse to embrace and accept ourselves. . Don’t try to be someone you aren’t; don’t try live someone else’s outfit, ministry or lifestyle. God has equipped you with everything you need. David cast off anothers armor. It is God who was his protection and answer, HE even provided David the perfectly rounded stones, and courage to face the enemy. He has given you everything you need as well. David knew his position in Christ – therefore he was able to fulfill his purpose in life.
“And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with this armor; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd’s bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.” 1 Samuel 17:39-40, 49-50
My favorite definition of BEAUTIFUL is… BE -U –TILL- UR -FULL! (Vallotten, Kathy)
Embrace WHO you are!
Know WHO’S you are and Know Who you are NOT!
Dream Big! You are more than enough! Be YOU till your full!
Believing in YOU!
