An inherent trait of being human is dreaming. We create visions of grand plans that we have for our lives. We spend hours thinking of what we want to do, where to go, or businesses we can create. Dreaming can be innocent, but it can easily become self-absorbed.
With our eyes fixed on ourselves, we set out to accomplish things often without ever bringing the dream to God. We forget to pray, asking for His guidance or blessing.
How many stories have you heard of people who have set out to accomplish grand plans, even plans for churches or for the Kingdom of God, that have failed miserably.
The book that was written about God that sold almost zero copies.
The church plant that failed after only a few months.
We look at these stories and can think to ourselves, “how could God have let this fail.” From the outside, it seems “it must be His will for these to succeed.”
But so often when we dream, our eyes are not on the Lord, but they are on ourselves. What we mask as service for the Lord, can be truly rooted in our own pride and service of self.
C.S. Lewis says “As long as you are proud, you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.”
Think of the Pharisees. From the outside, they appeared to be serving the Kingdom of God more faithfully than anyone else. They even considered themselves more righteous than others because of what they believed they were accomplishing for God.
But Jesus saw through their outward appearance of service and into their hearts. He called them “whitewashed tombs” (Matthew 23:27) and “blind guides” (Matthew 23:16).
Jesus wants our service, but He also wants our heart.
As you dream of things you want to accomplish, even things for the Lord, it is important that we sit with God in prayer and meditation, ensuring that HIS will be done, not ours.
In Acts chapter 5, the Apostles are teaching and preaching and planting the church. The Pharisees opposed of the Apostles and were jealous of them (Acts 5:17). One of the Pharisees spoke up, saying “So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them” (Acts 5:38-39).
If this plan is of man, it will fail.
If this plan is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.
It is okay to dream. It is okay to have plans you wish to accomplish. It is okay to work hard for the Lord.
But never forget to take a moment, audit yourself, and see if you are still working FOR GOD, or FOR YOURSELF. If your plan is of man, it will fail.
But if it is the will of God, nothing is impossible.
So, take time today, sit and talk with God. Ask Him for wisdom and guidance and let His will be done in your life. Dream big, but surrender first!
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Mathew 6:10).
Leave a Reply