Are my dreams, God's dreams?
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
That's often the question people ask you as a child. I remembered I wanted to be a dentist, teacher, flight attendant, hotel owner or a tour guide. My dreams were always associated with some kind of traveling. Except for the dentist. I think I enjoyed the free gifts from the dental office, so I wanted to be like my dentist. Then I got into reading a lot of comic books, so I wanted to become a comic artist.
It was my last year of high school. It was time to decide what "I wanted to be". The only skill I was good at was art. I got some university advice, so I decided to study something related to illustration. As long as I got to hold a pencil and draw, it was sufficient. I picked my first choice: graphic design. My dreams grew more and more attached to the skill set I had gained.
My dreams would often changed. The more knowledge and understanding I had about different career paths or how people fulfilled their dreams, the bigger my own dreams became. There were many voices. My parents' advice was to do something I enjoyed and could earn a living from. My professors would tell me to move to a big city and become some type of art director. My distant relatives advised me to study business administration instead.
Then, what were my dreams?
The reality is ... our thoughts change constantly. I've sat down so many times to write down what my dreams are. During my university years, I had a strong feeling from the beginning that I wanted to use my skills for God. I wanted to be involved in some type of non-profit organisation/ministry, something that could make a difference in the world. Something that can impact people's lives. I didn't really know how I would get there or if I would ever get there.
How do you know God's dreams for you?
The deeper you grow in your relationship with God, the more revelation you will receive about your dreams and purpose designed specifically for you. As children of God and disciples of Jesus, we are called to:
Love God, love people.
"You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-39
Make disciples of all nations.
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
How can God use my dreams to live out our calling? How can God use my gifts and talents for His Kingdom? During my Discipleship Training School, I was able to know God in a deeper and intimate way, learn to hear His voice and direction for details in my life. After a specific topic we learned called Destiny by Design, God began to help me put the puzzle pieces together. My childhood dreams, my current dreams, spiritual gifts and talents, and what next steps to take, even when they are small steps.
It's a lifelong journey to dream with God!
Hearing God's voice and putting my faith in His direction is a life journey. DTS helped me get more revelation, but it's a lifelong journey to walk with God and know that His plans are always bigger than my own. I no longer cling to my dreams for my own satisfaction or ambitions, but I faithfully put my dreams in God's hands, fully knowing that He knows my heart, He knows the timing, and my desire to glorify Him in all I do in this life. As of right now, being a full-time missionary was the first small step into the journey that God has prepared for me. My heart longs to continue glorifying God, knowing Him, making Him known in everything I do.
– by Janeth (YWAM Harbour City Staff)
