When Dreams Become More Than Dreams
Imagination is the only limitation to a kid’s dream. He has no concern for what’s actually realistic. Of course, these dreams naturally fade as we mature and realize the normal limitations of life. But all too often we mistake the deep desires of our heart as a mere dream. And we’re tempted to give up the calling God has given us because it seems immature and selfish to make such sacrifices if these are just our own wishful fantasies.
Discerning a Dream from a Divine Calling
On the one hand, part of maturity is recognizing we cannot do everything. And often this requires us to give up childhood dreams to fulfill our basic duties of manhood. But discernment is needed to distinguish between a casual dream and a divine vision.
Joseph’s dreams were not just boyhood fantasies about his brothers bowing down to him. They were a God-given vision and an anchor for his soul until these things were fulfilled. In the same way, the apostles of Christ didn’t suffer and die for the gospel because they were chasing convenience, comfort, or current trends. Time and again, God gave the saints of old a heart to do amazing things. If these were “just dreams,” they would not be worth the cost. But, as a divine calling, the cost of not obeying would be even worse.
The Cost of Following Your Calling
Many place following our passions on the same level has childhood dreams – great if we can make it happen, but not worth it if it’s too disruptive to the rest of our life. But passions by their very nature involve suffering. And we’re no longer living by faith when we treat our calling, these passionate desires God has placed in our heart as mere dreams to dismiss as soon as life gets hard.
Hold On to What God Has Called You To Do
To be sure, we must not put God in a box regarding how he will work through us, and our story, to fulfill the calling he has given us. Our part is to hold on to our calling and not get talked into treating it casually, or as a mere luxury we will try to get around to if we can.
In the end, perhaps the question is not whether your dream is realistic, but whether you have been faithful to what God has entrusted to you.
Your calling is more than just a dream. What have you done with it?
