Discovering God's Dream For You (Part Two)

Last time we started a discussion about how to discover God’s dream for you. We used an acrostic – the word DREAM – to guide our discussion. We started with the letter “D” which we said was “Distractions must be eliminated.” Today we are going to continue our discussion about how to discover God’s dream for us, and we will continue using the acrostic.

“R” stands for reserve time alone with God.

It’s necessary to be quiet to hear God speak. God speaks in a still, small voice, so that means we have to eliminate unnecessary noise.It’s possible God may be having a problem communicating with you right now, because you’re never quiet. Something is always going on in your mind. You have too many preoccupations – too many distractions – too much to do. It’s not God’s way to shout over a competing din of noise and distraction. You have to quiet down. Take a look at Job 37:14.

“Job, pause a moment and listen. Consider the wonderful things God does.” Job 37:14

OK, so why would God want to spend time with us, you might ask. Well, because we are very valuable to Him. God wants to connect with us, because He wants us to be successful. He wants to give us direction. He wants to minister to our spirits. He wants to tell us what to do. He wants to help us when we need help. He wants to comfort us when we need comfort. So God says – stop – be quiet – get alone with me – so I can talk with you.

So let me ask you a question. Do you think finding out God’s dream for your life is worth pursuing? Of course the answer is “Yes”. Absolutely yes. So schedule time to do it. That’s the only way it’s going to happen. Give God the opportunity to talk to you and show you His dreams. And take the opportunity to talk to Him as well. I recommend you set aside a daily time to relax and to think. And as you do this, write down your thoughts as well as any thoughts God puts in your mind. Write down your struggles – your hurts – your goals – your fears – and on and on. Ask God questions. Ask God, “What do You want me to do? What direction do you want me to travel? What do You want me to eliminate? And be quiet and listen for His answers. God ALWAYS answers our prayers, and He ALWAYS speaks to people who take the time to listen.

“E” stands for how am I equipped?

Part of learning God’s will, is knowing how He has equipped us.   God has given each of us has a specific personality, and He has given us certain gifts, talents, skills and abilities. This shapes who we are and gives insight into what God wants us to do with us. So ask yourself, what am I good at? What do I love to do? What is my passion? What turns me on and what turns me off? What capabilities do I have? What kind of personality do I have?How can God use these things in the advancement of His kingdom? Take a look at Ephesians 2:10.

“For we are God’s handiwork, to devote ourselves to the good deeds for which God has designed us.” Ephesians 2:10

God has designed specific activities for us to do. He conceived them even before we were born. On that dawning day of creation God said, “I’ve got plans”. “I’ve got certain things that need to be done in order to accomplish these plans.” “And I’m going to equip each person I create with specific skills, talents and abilities to get them done.” And “I’m going to allow them to go through certain experiences – both good and bad.” “And I am going to bring it all together, so that my will can be done.” This was all preordained before creation.

So, if you decide to ignore what God has given you, at some point in the future when you meet up with Him, you will have to tell Him why. When you stand before God He’ll ask you the question, “What did you do with what I gave you?” “I made you to be a vital part of my plans.””I planned to use you even before you were born.””So how did you do?” At that point you will have no place to hide.You will have to stand before God on your record – whatever it might be. Take a look at 1 Peter 4:10.

“God has given each of you some special abilities. Be sure to use them to help each other.” 1 Peter 4:10

“A” stands for associate with people of like mind.

It’s important to hang out with people who will encourage us in the pursuit of our dreams. It’s easy to get discouraged. We often feel like we are in a vacuum. And that’s particularly true when we tell other people about our dreams. Most of the time other people are either indifferent or even discouraging. Very seldom are they ever neutral. So that’s why it’s important to hang out with the church family. The Bible teaches that all members of the church family have been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit. These are special talents and abilities that they did not possess before becoming Christians. Paul says the Holy Spirit determines which gift is given to each person and how it’s going to be used. And the underlying purpose is for people to help each other. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 12:4- 7.

“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

One of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives believers is the gift of encouragement. Another gift He gives is the ability to give wise advice. Sometimes it called discernment. So when you are pursuing your dreams, look for Christians who possess these specific gifts. How do you do that? Well, you can ask people you know in the body of Christ: Who has the gift of discernment? Who has the gift of encouragement? Who has the gift of wise advice? And you can also ask the Holy Spirit. He knows who they are, because He’s the Person Who has given them the gifts in the first place. OK, so once you determine who they are, talk to them and tell them about your dream. Ask for their input and their reaction.Ask them to pray for you. And whatever they tell you – whatever feedback you get – you can believe it’s from God. That’s because they are His people, and He’s using the spiritual gift system as it’s designed to be used.

“M” stands for make your dream public.

Once we are convinced that our dream is from God, we need to go public. As we said earlier when we do this, we will encounter people who are indifferent and discouraging. But we will also encounter supportive people as well. And this is where God strengthens our faith. Remember faith is believing what God says is true and then acting on it. We believe our dream is from God. We have taken specific steps to confirm it. Now we step out and tell others about it. This allows God to bring the “Right people” to us. These are the people He will use to make the dream become a reality. All dreams require resources to make them happen, and one of the main resources is like-minded people. So we make our dream known – so like-minded people will hear – and want to come on board.

There are three important reasons for going public with your dream. First of all it gets you started. There is no more procrastination. Once you’ve announced it, you’re accountable, and you have to get moving. Secondly, as we have said, it attracts other people. Thirdly it releases God’s power. That ‘s because we step out in faith. God loves it when we do that. When we are convinced that God wants us to do something, and we step out in faith to do it – things happen. The Bible says, “Without faith it’s impossible to please God.”

So let me ask you – what’s God’s dream for your life? Each one of us has been created for a purpose. None of us are here by accident. God’s got something in mind for each one of us. So what does He have in mind for you? If your are struggling with that question, I recommend reading a great book by Rick Warren entitled, The Purpose Drive Life. It’s an easy read, and it will give you great insights as to why God created you and what your purpose might be. Let me close with the words of the great Apostle Paul who said in Acts 20:24:

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Acts 20:24

See you next week……….