Have you ever had a dream to do something very specific with your life? If you're a born-again child of God, then I know the answer is yes. How do I know that? I know that because God created you with specific purpose in mind. And oftentimes, God's specific purpose for your life can be found nestled and cloaked within your dreams, -very specific dreams that He has planted within you. Now, let me ask you another question. Have you ever stopped to consider what it would actually take to make the dream that lives within you come to pass? For most folks, this is where the water gets muddy and murky. That's because some people don't like to take any responsibility for their dream. In other words, their thinking is "If God gave me the dream, then He can bring it about, Himself". Instead of partnering up with God for the fulfillment of their dreams, these folks simply kick their boots off, and kick back like idle bystanders while their life unfolds. Unfortunately, these same people are often disappointed and full of regret when they come to the end of their life never having realized their dream, or what could have been. On the other hand, there are people who are willing to partner with God every day for their dreams. These are the people who fully embrace the belief that God has a divine purpose for their life. And these are the people who will ultimately see their dreams come true.  

You are never too young, or too old to dream! I'm now in my 60's, and I still have many dreams. Why? Because dreams are the fuel that ignites our God-given destiny. I also believe that dreams are the motivator that keeps us "moving forward in faith"! Show me someone who doesn't dream, and I'll show you someone who lives their life in what I call "maintenance mode". Rarely, if ever, do these people move forward. And why is moving forward so important? If you're not moving forward, then you're standing still, or worse yet, moving backwards. This is a good time to point out the fact that there are times in our lives when "standing still", or even "moving backwards" is exactly what God wants us to do. But there is a distinction when it comes to dreams. In order to fulfill your dreams, you must have forward motion. Why? Forward motion is the only way to unlock your feet of faith. 

Today, I want to share with you 7 steps that I've developed over the years that have helped me to realize many of my dreams. It's important to do these steps in the order they are given, and to follow the steps each day. So what are you waiting for? Your dreams are straight ahead of you. If you're ready to leave all the excuses behind and start chasing those dreams, then get ready, get set, 

NOW GO!

Sometimes dreams only exist in our head. In other words, they are more like a fantasy that has no substance or shape. Your dreams cannot take shape until you identify the dream. And how do you identify your dream? Give your dream a name. Forget about being creative at this stage, and keep it simple. Get right to the heart of the matter and call your dream what it is. For example, you might dream of cooking fine cuisine in a french restaurant one day. You could identify your dream as "French Chef". Sound too grandiose?  Remember - dream big or don't bother dreaming at all!     

2. SEEK GOD ABOUT THE DREAM

 

If you've got a dream, chances are you have told everyone about it except the real dream-maker - God! First and foremost, share your dreams with God, and ask Him to shine a light on your plans, and direct your path. Be bold in asking God to search your heart, and be ready to accept what He shows you. If the dream isn't from Him, then abandon it right now, and don't look back. God can and will place a new and better dream in your heart. On the other hand, if God gives you a peace that your dream is, indeed, from Him, then determine to move your feet forward every day, and chase down your dream.   

 

 

3. DEDICATION TO THE

 

Once you have an inner peace that your dream is from God, then dedicate yourself to pursuing it with all your heart. You will also have to dedicate yourself to having a strong work ethic. Trust me, if you don't have one, you will have to get one in order to fulfill your dream. Let me give you an example. One of my dreams is to be an excellent horsewoman. Wishing, hoping,and fantasizing about that dream won't cause it to happen. Even praying will not attain that dream for me. In order to realize my dreams, I have to be "dedicated to the process" of getting there, and that means working consistently towards the goal every day by riding my horse and working on my horsemanship, without excuses. Also, when it comes to dedication to your dream, you must be willing to move that dream up on your "priority list". Remember - there will always be something else that demands your time. But when it comes to your dreams, you don't try to find the time. You take the time. And that's dedication! 

 

 

4. HAVE BIG DREAMS, 

BUT WORK IN 

"SMALL STEPS" 

TO ACHIEVE THEM

 

One of the most important things you can do to attain your dreams is to set strong goals early on. The second thing you should do after setting those goals is to break them down in to smaller, achievable steps. This will keep you from getting frustrated, or even abandoning your dreams early on. For example, let's say your dream is to become a top barrel racer and win a gold buckle. Although you have a fast horse, you realize that you don't have the skills it takes to ride that horse at a full-out gallop while at the same time navigating your turns around a barrel. Instead of abandoning your dream because it seems out of reach, instead, you wisely break down the "big goal" into a series of smaller steps that you will work at diligently over a period of time. You might start by simply walking your horse around the barrels for several days, or even weeks. From there, you might move to the next step by asking for a trot. At the trot, you will begin the art of perfecting your own balance, and fine-tuning your horse's agility. After a "multiple of small steps" taken over a period of time, you will eventually be completely prepared and ready to fulfill your dream. And that is the day you will run the barrel pattern with a perfect score and take home the buckle! 

 

 

 

Got no discipline? This is the trouble area on the curvy road to big dreams that causes many gifted people to give up and abandon their life-long hopes before the victory. You've probably heard someone say about a broken dream, "I guess it just wasn't meant to be". That may be true in a very small amount of cases, but more often than not, it's just an excuse. If you look deep enough, you'll probably see a dream that really was meant to be, but a person who lacked the discipline to see it through to completion. Over my lifetime, I've known a lot of people who have chased down their dreams, and are now living the life they have always wanted. Although their dreams were varied, every one of those people had one specific thing in common. They were all disciplined, and willing to work harder than most. This begs the question, - are we born disciplined? Not a chance! But we can learn to be disciplined through dedication. Think of it like this - discipline is dedication with a work ethic. The foolish person sits back idly, and waits for others to make his dreams come true. But the wise person abstains from evil, and disciplines himself by working diligently to make his dreams come true. 

 

"It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools will not turn from evil to attain them."

(Proverbs 13: 19)  

 

 

6. WHEN TIMES GET TOUGH - PERSEVERE

 

If lack of discipline is a trouble area on the road to big dreams, then lack of perseverance is the train wreck that ends the dream. Perhaps you've heard the old saying,

 

  

 

In order for you to realize your dreams, you have to be in it to win it. You also have to keep your eye on the prize. I'll give you a personal example. For many years, I worked hard every day with my horses in order to "show" them competitively in western pleasure. I was determined, dedicated, and diligent about my dream, and because I was, I often came home with blue ribbons for my prize. Nevertheless, many times just before I would go into the show ring, some well-meaning soul would pat me on the leg as I sat on my horse, and remind me, "It's not whether you win the game, but how you play the game that counts." Inside I would just cringe at those words. Why? Because I was not playing a game. I was there to win. Perhaps American Idol's former judge, Randy Jackson, expressed my sentiments best when it comes to life and living out our dreams, "We should all be in it to win it!" And how do you win it? You win it by pressing on toward the goal, and keeping your eye on the prize!

 

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 3: 14, NASB)

 

 

 

 

We'll be back next week with...