My time with my Middle school girls has done it again! This time it was not so pleasant, but I love being able to walk away from my time with them having learned something so important. This week in our Bible study, we were talking about the girls' future and how the decisions they make now affect it. We talked about the dreams each of them have for the future. I remember having so many dreams for my life when I was their age. But as I sat in on the discussion regarding these things, I noticed how uncomfortable I felt. It was kind of like a hurt, defeated, maybe even punished feeling. Where did my dreams go and why did these feelings replace them?
Throughout my life, I've had good dreams, stupid dreams, and unrealistic dreams. Many of my dreams changed and shifted in a natural progression as I grew up and matured. Some of my dreams happened and were awesome. Others happened and were nothing like I expected them to be. The rest were shattered by life and circumstances. I never expected the last thing to happen. I wasn't prepared. When it did happen, those dreams were replaced with hurt and vulnerability - two things I was not comfortable with. So I guess I decided whether consciously or not, that dreams were not worth having if they were going to leave me in a pile on the floor broken and hurting.
As we were talking with the girls about how endless the possibilities of their lives were, I found myself bitter and doubtful. I didn't fully believe the things I am supposed to be teaching. Having dreams hurts you. I realized that I don't have one single dream for my future anymore. Yes, sure I have a plan for the next year that I'm super excited about. Then what? I don't have anything I am looking forward to or working hard for. I see tasks in my days ahead that yes will be fulfilling and yes will hopefully be God-honoring but are not things I've dreamt about. There's something wrong with that.
After some prayer I realized, the enemy has stolen my ability to dream. He has tricked me into believing that dreaming for a future is wrong and hurtful because I will be disappointed. He has taken away the ability for me to hope in and work for something. As I think about the world around me, the people I've met along the way, I've seen this lie repeated over and over again. Children, teenagers, adults. He's stealing people's dreams left and right. He's taking away their innocence and hopefulness. He's replacing it with feelings of defeat, bitterness, doubt, and fear. He's tricked us into thinking that the dreams God gives us are not worth having or pursuing. He's a jerk.
I am no longer going to let the enemy take this precious part of my life. I have a God who's big and has BIG dreams for me. I will not be scared to dream and pursue those dreams. I will fight hard to get my dreams back and keep dreaming. No matter how old I get, how busy I am, or how bored I am, I will never stop dreaming again. I am victorious! Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band say it best in the song Take Back,
Throughout my life, I've had good dreams, stupid dreams, and unrealistic dreams. Many of my dreams changed and shifted in a natural progression as I grew up and matured. Some of my dreams happened and were awesome. Others happened and were nothing like I expected them to be. The rest were shattered by life and circumstances. I never expected the last thing to happen. I wasn't prepared. When it did happen, those dreams were replaced with hurt and vulnerability - two things I was not comfortable with. So I guess I decided whether consciously or not, that dreams were not worth having if they were going to leave me in a pile on the floor broken and hurting.
As we were talking with the girls about how endless the possibilities of their lives were, I found myself bitter and doubtful. I didn't fully believe the things I am supposed to be teaching. Having dreams hurts you. I realized that I don't have one single dream for my future anymore. Yes, sure I have a plan for the next year that I'm super excited about. Then what? I don't have anything I am looking forward to or working hard for. I see tasks in my days ahead that yes will be fulfilling and yes will hopefully be God-honoring but are not things I've dreamt about. There's something wrong with that.
After some prayer I realized, the enemy has stolen my ability to dream. He has tricked me into believing that dreaming for a future is wrong and hurtful because I will be disappointed. He has taken away the ability for me to hope in and work for something. As I think about the world around me, the people I've met along the way, I've seen this lie repeated over and over again. Children, teenagers, adults. He's stealing people's dreams left and right. He's taking away their innocence and hopefulness. He's replacing it with feelings of defeat, bitterness, doubt, and fear. He's tricked us into thinking that the dreams God gives us are not worth having or pursuing. He's a jerk.
I am no longer going to let the enemy take this precious part of my life. I have a God who's big and has BIG dreams for me. I will not be scared to dream and pursue those dreams. I will fight hard to get my dreams back and keep dreaming. No matter how old I get, how busy I am, or how bored I am, I will never stop dreaming again. I am victorious! Will Reagan and the United Pursuit Band say it best in the song Take Back,
It's in the Blood of the One who's Worthy
I know God has not forgotten all that's lost and broken
So come and see the turning of the tides
Come and see his sons and daughters rise
For how could He who did not spare His own Son
Not freely give us victory against the darkness of nights
We're gonna take back all the enemy has stolen
We're gonna take back all the enemy has stolen
I know God has not forgotten all that's lost and broken
So come and see the turning of the tides
Come and see his sons and daughters rise
For how could He who did not spare His own Son
Not freely give us victory against the darkness of nights
We're gonna take back all the enemy has stolen
We're gonna take back all the enemy has stolen
God wants us to dream. He wants us to have a hope in the future that He has for us. He gives us dreams. He transforms dreams. He takes dreams away. His love for us is the driving force behind it all. If He takes a dream away, trust He will replace it with a new, better one. Seek out dreams. Live out dreams. Life is always full of endless opportunities at every age and every stage of life.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for wholeness and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
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