Dream On

As we circled around a small side table, leaning in as we chatted and dared to dream, the fireworks blared in the background.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

We turned around shocked. Fireworks this late in July!? On this part of the island? That never happens.

But of course it would on this night. This very special evening. One that goes down in the books as one that I’ll remember forever. The kind of evening that you journal about the next morning, and keep thinking about throughout the week.

My best friend was visiting for 10 days, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to finally have her here with me. We had planned for this trip from the night I broke the news to her that we were moving 2,000 miles away. With tears in our eyes, we promised that we’d visit each other often.

And here she was. I knew I had to take her to my special place, a sacred place even, with my mentor friend who breathes the truth of God’s love and whimsically wraps you up into dreams and bliss.

My friend picked us up in her silver convertible as the sun set. We were all in our black dresses and rompers, ready for a girls’ night. The wind blew our hair around as we took off on the highway, making small talk until we got to the hotel.

We pulled up to the grand entrance, candles lit all throughout the lobby. Open air, bright moon, and a man in the corner singing Hawaiian lullabies to the guests. We picked a small corner with three seats to sit at, ordered our hot teas and that delicious chocolate fondue.

As our conversation unfolded, we all shared passions we have, dreams that we hold deep down, and gifts that we’d like to pursue, but the fears and what ifs that hold us back.

Ugh. Those “what ifs” really suck the life out of us, don’t they!? Or maybe you’re not one who has a long list of what if’s, but maybe you’re more like me and shrug your dreams aside because you need to be realistic, or feel like they’re just silly.

My mentor friend spoke such sweet truth to our dear hearts that evening.

What if we made a list of all the things that could go right, instead of wrong? What if we thought of all the God-things He could do with our courage to pursue what He’s laying on our hearts? What if…God used us in crazy, amazing ways? What if we were drawn so much closer to Him because we had to rely fully on Him, and not ourselves?

What if… it was great?

Those dreams that you have, those passions, and longings that swirl in your head over and over, those are God-given. They aren’t a mistake, or a “silly thought”. They’re real, and good and can be reality. But we have to step out of our comfort zone, and walk in faith. We have to lay down our excuses, our doubts and our fears, and GO FOR IT.

And the beautiful thing is that we are never alone. God goes before us. He holds all things together. He works through us. He is faithful to fulfill His purpose in us. He is most glorified when we are most delighting in Him, and I think a part of delighting in him is being free to do what He is calling you to do. Because although there are lots of people doing what you feel like He is calling you to do, only YOU can do it the way that you do it.. You can reach people that others can’t, and others will reach people that you can’t. We are all a family in Jesus. We don’t compete. But we beautifully dance together, all glorifying Jesus in our own ways.

As we laid our fears at that table, and whispered our dreams over that chocolate fondue, the fireworks went crazy with applause.

YES child. Go and do what He has called you to do. When we follow Him and use the gifts that He’s given us, we’ll be full of life and joy. It’s certainly not easy. But it’s worth it. Otherwise, we’ll burn out and get stuck.

We drove home that night with the top down and the music blaring. I stared up at the stars and looked to my left at the crashing waves along the road. I whispered this prayer to Jesus, “Lord. I want to be a dreamer. I want to be used by you, to be a part of what you’re already doing. You’ve put these dreams in my heart. Show me how to walk with courage and faith, instead of backing away as I have so many times before. Life with you is a great adventure Lord. So lead on.”

Do you ever feel stuck? What dreams or gifts has He given you specifically? How can you lay your fears down and walk forward in faith today?