Dare to Dream

Tomorrow I’m planning to do something crazy. Something far beyond the doldrums of my daily routine, something outside the precise corners and rigid edges of my tight to-do-list. It’s something I have wanted to do for ages, something I have prayed about and longed to do. I tried to approach it once before, but it wasn’t the right time. However, this time, this year is different. Not sure how, not sure why, it’s just . . . different.

“Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

I rarely contemplate that verse. To be honest, I’m a little afraid of it. I’m afraid of entertaining the dreams cocooned in the deep places of my heart. I cower at the thought of awakening them from their fear induced coma, of exposing them to public inspection and censure.

I’m afraid of disappointment and failure.

Now, I know the “correct” theology on the passage, “when I’m seeking God and His will ‘my desires’ will align with and become His desires for me,” and all that. True. True. But still, This “desire of my heart,” Lord?

Maybe, just maybe . . .

All week, God has dangled Psalm 37:4 in front of me, so finally I’ve mustered the courage to take Him up on it. Here goes:

I’m going to write a book.

In 30 days.

Yeah that’s right, 30 days. Tomorrow at 12:01am NaNoWriMo begins. (For the non-writers among you, that’s National Novel Writing Month where novelists write a novel in 30 days.) Now I’m not going to write a novel, (sorry fiction fans!). No, I am going to write a book–a devotional on God’s heart.

For the next 30 days, I’m going to step out of the boat and walk on water. I’m going to take a chance and burn every drop of fuel this old rocket has and shoot for the moon. And I’m aiming at a completed book by December 1st. Now, I know the end result may not be any good, it may not go anywhere, but it will be done, accomplished–the larva will hatch, it will sprout wings,

And the dream will escape it’s silken confines.

At last.

Doesn’t sound very feasible, I know. My busy schedule will challenge it, my daily habits will rebel against the discipline and sacrifice needed to accomplish it. The nay-sayers will mock me. But I’m going to do it anyway. I’m blowing the lid off my tight, little writer’s box, off my small minded, squished expectations of life, of God.

I want to fly and I don’t give a hoot that I haven’t any wings. I don’t care if I fall or how bad it may hurt. I just need to try.

I need to try.

So today, fueled by God’s Spirit:

• I’m writing Psalm 37:4 out on a notecard. I’m pasting it on my computer, my bathroom mirror, my car dashboard.

• Then I’m carving out a specific portion of each day for the next 30 days and running hard along the pathway to something more.

Along the way, I expect to experience power beyond my natural ability to perform and achieve. And best of all, I hope to gaze into the deeper mysteries hidden in God’s heart.

What about you? What dream lies dormant in your heart?

Our God is so BIG, and His plans include so much we haven’t tapped into. If only we can muster the courage to reach beyond what we think we know and understand . . .

Sweet friend, I don’t know God’s plans for you. Shoot, I don’t even know His plans for me. But I do know God means for both of us to grasp the promise budding in that beautiful Scripture and follow Him up, up . . .

Because God’s like that; BIG, unfathomable, and the Giver of every good gift. And that includes your dreams and mine.

What dream will you offer to God? Will you join me and set aside time each day this month to follow Him into it? Then please share your results with us!