In a season of resolutions and vision boards, I am often amazed at how passionate we can be when it comes to seeing their dreams come into fruition. Whether you are training for a 5k race or deciding to launch a business, many of us have dreams that can no longer be swaddled with procrastination. We have decided that now is the time to GO FOR IT! Though we recognize it will take intentionality, work, and perseverance, there is another element that we may be unaware of…
The dream does not belong to us.
As sad as it may sound, when God gives us a vision for the next great moment of our life, this does not give us permission to take full ownership of the dream. This is not to say we do not have to actively commit to the work at hand. However, it does mean that we have to remember who gave us the dream and allow Him to take the lead. Many times we hover over our new vision like a mother hen. We become filled with anxiety of what happens if things go wrong. We become so possessive about “our baby” that we cannot even enjoy the journey that God is setting before us. Today, I encourage you to consider giving away your dream.
You must be willing to completely surrender and dedicate your dream to God.
A perfect example of this is found in the story of Hannah. In 1 Samuel 1-3, we see the riveting story of Hannah and Samuel. Hannah had gone barren for years. Often, this desire to birth a son would send her to tears, shame, and bitterness. However, one day she decided to pray and cry out to God for her dream to manifest.
Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. 11 And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.” 1 Samuel 1:10-11 NLT
When Elkanah slept with Hannah, the Lord remembered her plea, 20 and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.” 1 Samuel 1:19-20
As the story continues, Hannah does as she promises. She takes Samuel back to Eli the priest and dedicates him to the Lord. She leaves Samuel with Eli the priest to raise as a fulfillment of her promise to God. She doesn’t offer Samuel be grudgingly, but with praise.
Then Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the Lord! The Lord has made me strong. Now I have an answer for my enemies. I rejoice
because you rescued me. No one is holy like the Lord There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:1-2
Hannah dedicates her dream with excitement. The story goes on to say that she would visit Samuel sporadically and that she would even have many more children. Samuel would become one of the most well-known and respected prophets of his time. I can’t help but wonder, what if Hannah had not given away her “dream”?
As you are reading today, I encourage you to consider the “baby” that God is birthing in you? Ask yourself and the Lord, how can I FULLY dedicate to this dream to you.
I find that when we realize that our vision truly belongs to the Lord the following things happen:
1. We can take the “What next, Lord” attitude.
2. Pressure is taken off of us to know every step.
3. We can count on God to give us inspiration and strategy.
4. We can rest and await instruction when we are confused.
5. We can be comforted knowing that He is taking the lead. Because He does not operate in time, He knows every connection that will be needed and every process that will need to take place to make it happen.
Friends, your talents, spiritual gifts, dreams, knowledge, and business ideas were NEVER meant for you to hoard. They were meant to release and give back to those around you. The God-given dream or talent placed inside of you was meant to bring God glory and bring people back to Him. Living your dream according to God’s planning and timing should be one of the most selfless things you ever do.
He who has graciously given you the dream or talent is asking you to give it back. He is asking you to place your heart in a position where you can say, “It is yours, Lord, do as you please.”
In my own life, I made a decision to yield Victory Speaks to God early in the process. This means if I hear Him speak, I listen. There have been times the Lord told me to stop writing altogether for a month or two at a time. In the past, this would have scared me. What if I lose followers? What if I never catch my momentum again? These would have been my thoughts. Amazingly, after every break to refresh and hear His voice, I would have MORE momentum when I returned. I recognize now that I have to give God complete control. I know that if He tells me to pause, stop, or even increase the pace He knows exactly what He is doing. I am here to receive and be a conduit for however He wants to use me. I have come to recognize that He is more than capable of handling my vision. Like Hannah, I choose to dedicate my work to Him and allow Him to take the lead. In doing so, He has expanded my writing and my ability to minister in a way that I could have never put together for myself.
Today, my prayer for you is that you would ask yourself if you are really surrendering your desire to Him. Are you really seeking His face for the next steps? I believe when you truly take this position of “giving it away” you will find peace and comfort in His process.
Dear Lord,
I thank you for ministering to me today. I thank you for the dreams you have placed in my heart. Help me to never take for granted that you speak to me and that you guide my path. Father, I give ______________ to you. Have your way with it. Give me ears to hear what’s next. Help me not to run so far ahead of you that I miss what you really want to do with my life. Teach me the beauty of trusting you when you to tell me to wait or move faster than expected. I thank you for the journey ahead and trust you with the process. I give it to you. In Jesus Name Amen.
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