Small Steps Toward a Big Dream

Imagine that you were standing in a large room, like a big auditorium or gymnasium. You are standing in one corner of the room, and your dream of where you want to be is at the far corner of the room. That dream may be something for your spiritual life, or your home or family, or your career, or some other hope or wish or goal you have... But you can’t reach it from where you are.  It’s all the way across the room. You’ve got to map out some steps to get there. What are 2-3 clear, measurable, attainable first steps that will get you on a path towards your dream?

Transcript

On a previous episode of “Practical Faith,” I asked you to imagine that you were standing in a large room, like a big auditorium or gymnasium or something.  You are standing in one corner of the room, and your dream of where you want to be is at the far corner of the room.  That dream may be something for your spiritual life, or your home or family, or your career, or some other hope or wish or goal you have.

But you can’t reach it from where you are.  It’s all the way across the room.  You’ve got to map out some steps to get there.  And this isn’t a process we are trying to do atheistically – we’re not trying to pursue a dream without God.  We want Him with us, guiding us, leading us the whole way there.

So you know where you are now (in relation to your dream) – and way over in that far corner of the room is where you want to be – that’s your destination, your dream.  What are 2-3 clear, measurable, attainable first steps that will get you on a path towards your dream?

Maybe you have a dream career, but there are some steps you need to take, educationally, in order to get yourself there.  Write those down.

Maybe you have a dream to see some lost members of your family come to faith in Jesus.  What are 2-3 simple steps you could take to get yourself on the path toward seeing that dream come true?

Maybe you have a dream for some aspect of your physical health...  What are some active steps you could take over the next month to begin moving towards that dream?

And here’s a little goal-achieving principle for you from the world of psychology: people often over-estimate what they can accomplish in a year.  But people often under-estimate what they can accomplish in 5 years.

You may be dreaming of something that you hope to have completely accomplished one year from now – and the truth is – God is big! – He can do anything! – but in all probability, it’s going to take you more than a year to get there.

On the other hand, some of you are thinking of something right now that seems IMPOSSIBLE – like, no way is that ever going to happen!  You actually may be under-estimating what you and the Lord could accomplish together in 5 years’ time…

Maybe you have a God-given dream to impact some great Kingdom purpose in the world:
• maybe it’s to fight against human-trafficking...
• maybe it’s to serve war refugees or victims of natural disasters...
• maybe it’s to plant a new church somewhere, or to begin a new ministry that serves Christ by serving the vulnerable or marginalized...
• maybe it is to become a foster or adoptive parent someday...

These are huge, massive, awesome – and worthwhile dreams to pursue.  What is one simple, active step that you can take, with God, by faith, that would bring you one small step closer to realizing that huge, God-given dream?

Here’s my prayer for you, from Psalm 90:17 – 
“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon you and establish the work of your hands,” in Jesus’ Name, by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.