Sometimes I find myself daydreaming! Yes, with my eyes wide open and complete awareness of what is going on around me, I begin to think “What could change? How can I make it better? What would create happiness in this situation?” I am told by those who study such things that our brain does better at solving problems when we give ourselves permission to dream about possibilities, not simply what we are told is the ‘reality’ with which we must cope.

Too many people surrender to their critics, giving in to the struggles and just choosing to exist!  IF we give up on life disappointment and disillusionment will replace hope. We will begin to let the days slip by- on Monday aiming for Friday, in the morning already thinking about losing ourselves in meaningless TV for the entire evening. IF we lose sight of ‘why’ we are alive, if we refuse to dream because we are told we should not, we will live a defeated existence and drift through day after day.

I am NOT suggesting that we avoid reality and choose to live in fantasies. That, too, is a waste of our days and does not fulfill the high and holy calling that God desires for each one of us.

God does not desire that we become successful people by the common measures of fame, wealth, or celebrity, BUT He does want you and me to be  people of significance.

The best life is not a destiny, but a path shaped by a God-sized dream. We can pray – “Lord God, form in me a dream worthy of You. Show me how to best use the opportunities in my life, to overcome the broken places in myself, and to understand who I am in Your purposes.”   As strange as it sounds, the best life emerges from surrender to His will; not giving up, not becoming numb to the world, but pursuing His purpose over self- promotion. Believe me, there is real joy in that choice.

John Ortberg (pastor and author) writes that “surrender is not passivity nor abdication. It is saying yes to God and life each day. It is accepting the gifts He has given to me – my body, my mind, my biorhythms, my energy. It is letting go of my envy or desire for what He has given to someone else. It is letting go of outcomes… Surrender is accepting reality … the ultimate reality: I am a ceaseless being with an eternal destiny in God’s great universe.”  {When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back Into the Box, 2007, Zondervan} The deepest surrender, Ortberg says, grows out of the profound realization that I am not master of the game, the God of life IS!

Real vision forms when we surrender to the Spirit. Jesus says “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” (Mark 8:34-35, NLT) To paraphrase His words- “If you live selfishly, you will lose everything in the end. If you live as God desires, you will gain an unshakeable hope and the gift of an eternal reward.”

I am convinced that when we are surrendered to Him in our attitudes, God is able to shape our dreams and create opportunities for us to become His partners in changing the world.

Sound too lofty? Is that grandiose? Not at all. It is our privileged place as children of the Heavenly Father. Can you imagine a life more significant than that?  

• What would life look like if instead of working to impress others or building a network of power to defend our rights, we chose humble service without needing thanks or applause?
• What if we measured “success” as being content to be useful to God with no expectation other than to find the joy of obedience?  

I want, by the grace of God and the help of the Spirit, to dream big – so that I will not remain where I was yesterday, nor will I lose myself in fantasies about tomorrow. Instead, I will follow Christ’s plan that I become like Him today, with but one desire – that He shines through me in a way that is unique to my gifts and circumstances.

Make this declaration-
“For the glory of God, I want to be the best __________________________
(fill the blank) that is possible!

Here’s a word from the Word. I love the truth declared here.  
“Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21, NLT)

Let’s dare to dream a godly dream and live the life prepared in His wisdom for us.

Amen.

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Video at https://www.youtube.com/@JerScott55