Imagine that; the God of the universe rejoices over our accomplished dreams or successes.
He is not irrelevant or insensitive to the times we live in. He knows both what we need and want.
King Solomon once said, "The thing a wicked man fears shall come upon him, but the desire of the [uncompromisingly] righteous shall be granted." (Pr. 10:24)
God always rewards the prayers, dreams and diligence of the righteous. (NOTE: Righteousness here is not perfection; it is simply making right decisions, being in right standing with God both to shun evil (sin) and TURN back to Him if you fall to it.)
Yet the enemy wants to make you feel selfish for dreaming something as big as the dream in your heart. He wants to condemn you for having a vision for success, wealth and riches overflowing in your life, BECAUSE HE WANTS TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD IN FAILURE, POVERTY, PAST MISTAKES AND MEDIOCRITY.
But if you fail to dream and work in your divine calling (something greater than what you currently have), you leave an inheritance of faithlessness to your children (both biological and spiritual.)
So, what are you called to do? Your calling is normally in the area of your gifting. What are you passionate about? What are you good at? What would you do for FREE (still at the highest level?) Below is a chart I did several years ago in defining my purpose on paper.
|
DISCOVERING PURPOSE |
Describe the action you can see yourself doing for others |
Describe the type of person, organization, or cause you want to serve |
Describe the goal you want to co-labor or reach with that person, organization, or cause. |
|
My passion in life is to |
Heal |
My generation |
To help them let go of their past |
|
My passion in life is to |
Serve |
My family, pastors and church |
To leave a legacy behind |
|
My passion in life is to |
Build |
Leaders |
That change the destinies of nations |
|
My passion in life is to |
Advocate |
For the disadvantaged |
To challenge systems |
|
My passion in life is to |
Gain entrance and influence |
Nations |
To know Christ, live by faith and accomplish their highest dreams. |
|
Ed Norwood's purpose in life is to |
Heal, Serve, Build, Advocate for and Influence |
People from all walks of life |
To help them know Christ, change their destiny and accomplish their highest dreams. |
Sir Edmund Hillary, first man to summit Mt. Everest said, "It is not the Mountain we conquer, but ourselves."
Authority to transcend peaks in life is released only to those who learn and exercise discipline. Discipline is directly connected to our divine destiny. While plans are made on "sunny days," during their implementation we must conquer unforeseen events.
You can spend years in fruitless relationships and pursuing activities and vocations that offer little meaning and lack harmony with your true sense of purpose and destiny.
To leave a legacy, you must beat what is trying to destroy your dream.
In his book, "Imparting the Blessing," William Ligon writes:
"God's covenant blessings spoken over His people included the promise of offspring. The promise of children is common to all the covenants God has made with man. Each time you look at your children remember that they are a sign that God has not nullified His promise."
What an amazing quote! God's blessing on your life was so intense, He had to promise you children (generations to mentor) in order to contain all of it. My kids are not problems; they are a sign that God is not finished with me yet; that what He has planned for my life is bigger than my life span. Bigger than my current address. Bigger than my paycheck, title, role, influence, work or leadership experience.
God did not make you average. He made you amazing and wonderful, capable of doing anything He put in your heart to do. Luke recorded that when the disciples came back from their first ministry trip, they returned with joy, marveling over their authority in ministry. AND IN THE SAME HOUR, Jesus rejoiced (jumping up and down, twirling around with shouts of joy) in thanks to His Father for their revelation and success in ministry!
God is stoked when you see (imagine) and flow in your created purpose, design and potential.
When you see impossibilities, He declares:
- "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jer. 32:27)
- "What is impossible with men is possible with God." (Lk. 18:27)
Don't ever let the enemy convince you that God doesn't care about your success in the world He created.
"If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!" -Jesus Christ
Your life is a product of what you have asked for.
Even if you got some things you didn't request, you have always had the final word. This is your life; your level and stage. Someone (a client, team or employer) invited you to perform (or play), but you determine when the game ends.
General Peter Pace once said:
"One thing the Marine Corps teaches is that it's better to be doing something than doing nothing. If you stay where you are, you're in the position where the enemy wants you to be. If you start doing something, you're changing the rules of the game."
Today, change the rules of the game. Don't retire (your dream.) You belong in the Hall of Fame.
God told Abram: "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you [with abundant increase of favors] and make your name famous and distinguished, and you will be a blessing [dispensing good to others]."
God wants to make your name famous to be a blessing to others. NEVER FORGET IT. He created you to:
- To be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and have dominion.
- To possess and drive out illegal occupants over your stuff
- To contribute
- To lend and not borrow
- To dream, build, initiate and accomplish signs and wonders in the world He created.
And He is pulling for you succeed and not fail.
