I’m not a big dreamer by nature.
That might surprise you, but the truth is that I’m often overwhelmed by those who are. They spin out ideas. They see the big picture when all I can see are the up-close challenges. They are visionaries and it’s exactly the way God made them.
When God asks some of us to dream big (and it doesn’t feel natural), we may:
. . . hold back.
. . . run the other way.
. . . resist.
. . . start counting all the ways we’ll fail, which gives us a perfect excuse to not try.
. . . point to those who are dreamers by nature, and ask God to pick them instead.
God has worked on my heart for a number of years in this tender area. He’s show me that when something doesn’t come natural, and he’s the one asking me to do it, that it will come supernaturally as I trust him.
We are able to dream big because of God’s abilities.
I remember when God first began asking me to dream big so many years ago. Sometimes it was in a personal area of growth or spiritual maturity. Sometimes it was believing that God was bigger than my past, or believing that God saw something in me that I couldn’t.
I understood the Lord was inviting me to believe. Yet all I could see were my own abilities, or the lack of them.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Paul, in Ephesians 3:20, invites us to stop looking at our own abilities as the only criteria. It’s not about us, not really.
It’s about him.
It’s about a Sovereign God who made the universe, and who is inviting us to partner with him.
What if we don’t know what to ask for?
Maybe you don’t know what to ask for, don’t worry about that.
Maybe you feel limited in your ability to brainstorm or come up with a vision, that’s OK too.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20 (NLT)
Rather than worrying about what to ask for, ask him to show you what he sees. What is on his heart. What he wants to do through you, or in you.
Don’t worry about those feelings. You will feel ill-equipped.
You’ll plan. You’ll prepare. You’ll work hard. Yet, believing that he will accomplish so much more than we can even understand — that’s when the real miracles begin.
When God does something infinitely, it’s without measure. There are no limits to what he can do with it. The results aren’t really ours to define in those early stages. In fact, the results may never be stunning here on earth and yet have an abundance of eternal value.
Only God knows that.
Our role is to say yes.
[bctt tweet=”When God asks me to dream big, he’s not asking whether I’m able, but if I will trust in his abilities. #spiritledheart #equipped #ComeWithMe https://wp.me/p4jbdw-4tk” username=”suzanneeller”]
What is God asking you to do?
Does it feel big? Read Ephesians 3:20 one more time. If he’s the one asking you to dream big, he is able — through his might power at work within you — to do infinitely more than you can even ask or think.
That’s a powerful truth, sweet friend.
As we march into 2018 and embrace that big dream, may it be with confidence in the One who lives in you, for he is able.
Suzie
Q: What is your immediate response when you feel God asking you to do something BIG?
Q: How does Ephesians 3:20 speak to those feelings?
#livingfreetogether: Rather than focus on your abilities, or the outcome (which you cannot guarantee), place your focus today on the truth that he is able and his power is already within you.
Related posts
- When things don’t turn out the way we plan
- Striving faith is exhausting faith
- When you want to dream big, but it feels small
Connect with Suzie on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Thank you for this post. I thought I knew God wanted me to pursue this job and it would be a perfect fit. But someone else got it and it was a disappointment. But I vow to trust he has a much bigger plan in store. But I just want to be faithful as he has been to me. He also has blessed me just by giving me enteral life so why should I be selfish in thinking I know best. He is the teacher I am just a thankful student even though my emotions may fail he is still there guiding me a long in my journey. His ways are much higher than I could ever dream possible. Thank you Father for all that you are! And giving me more than I deserve! 🙏❤️👣👑
Amen, Lee Anne! He blesses the one who continues to trust and believe even though they do not see. xoxoxo He has good plans and will accomplish all good things according to His perfect will. Keep praising, believing, and don’t fear to ask for the things on your heart. He will answer, and when He does it will make all things clear. He calls us His beloved and has adopted us as heirs to the kingdom of Heaven along with Christ Jesus. I’d say we’re in pretty good hands. 🙂 xoxoxo
I AM a dreamer. Always have been. BUT, I often feel like those dreams are too big for me. I have a hard time with that second part, trusting God to carry it out. Doubt, fear, and discouragement always seem to get in the way. Sometimes I even feel a bit crazy because my dreaming brain doesn’t SHUT off. How can I possibly accomplish all of these things?
Your message today was so encouraging. It changed my perspective a bit. I know God can do all things, but why do I not believe He will carry out these dreams through me? “Oh God, please help my unbelief.”
Thank you Suzie for sharing your heart with us. I pray that God allows you to dream big!
Heavenly Father, bring confidence and peace to Melissa as she walks in faith and obedience according to the dreams you have set in her heart. Make her paths straight and bless her every step. Help her to keep trusting and believing in you on those days when she feels ill-equipped. And may she always give her dreams and her worries to you so you can show her the “breadth and length and height and depth” of your love and power. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ~Keep dreaming those BIG dreams, Melissa, and ask God to reveal His will in each step you take and to bring you peace as you trust in Him. xoxoxo
Thank you so much for your beautiful prayer RebeccaLynn! I wont lie there were a few tears. God is doing big things, for sure.
Suzie, I love this message. It is so true and God continually shows me he wants my heart over my habits. I can try and strive, but when I lose myself in the wrong things — he realigns me once again and I am so thankful for it.
He is showing me he is in control and that ultimately, HE is my destiny.
Thanks and God bless.
Hey Meg~
Oh, that word “strive” can get us every time and it sifts us to our will and away from His perfect plan. His will trumps all!
Jesus, He is our destiny. I love that thought.
Have a wonderful afternoon,
Michele
Oh Suzie, I love this so much! Thank you for challenging us to look to the ONE who is ABLE rather then stare down our insecurities and “I can’ts”. This was such a fresh word this morning. <3
I did dream big, when it didn’t happen or someone squashed it, I think God dreamed even bigger.
I did dream big, when it didn’t happen or someone squashed it, I think God dreamed even bigger.
I needed to read this today. God asked me to write so I did. I finished a book and put it on Amazon.com this week. I usually shy away from big dreams and I am trying my hardest to embrace that God can do big things through me if I just continue to move forward. Thank you so much for a word from God.
Well, my immediate response to God asking me to do something BIG is ‘excited’. BUT. That excitement is always dissolved with discouragement. It is a continual battle I fight to cling to His call – His offer. Ephesians reminds me that I am doing the right thing by clinging to the Hand of the One who will accomplish the dream.