Grit & Grace: Dream Big

I went to my bible study group potluck where our group leader gave us the sweet gift of magnets that had a quote and a bible verse that went with it on them. I wanted several of them, but once I spotted the one that said “Dream BIG,” I knew that was the one for me. On top of that, it had the bible verse Ephesians 3:20 (I have an affinity for the book of Ephesians.) at the bottom: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” (NIV). I also looked this one up in The Message: “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”

The reason I knew it was for me was that God’s been working on me overtime lately. He’s been showing me and telling me that I need to change my mind. That’s probably the hardest thing He could have ever asked of me! I know no one would ever believe me, but I’m actually pretty stubborn and set in my ways. All kidding aside, I tend to limit myself via negative self-talk that I’ve excelled to pro-level in after all these years. However, He knows I’m competitive and like a challenge. So, I’ve been trying my best to stop limiting myself and especially Him. In my alone time with Jesus about a month ago, I was trying to be still and listen as He instructs us to do. I ended up writing down a lot in my journal, but every little bit, I found myself writing down “Blind Faith.” He just kept repeating it every few minutes. Then, in my prayer closet time more recently, I got the impression that I needed to stop putting limitations on what I believe God can do for and through me.

So, I set out on an internet journey to research “blind faith” a little more. I didn’t like the definitions I was finding or the fact that the bible itself never really specifies that it is something to pursue. Instead I prayed about it quite often and with some consistency. God eventually led me to John 20:29, “Then Jesus told him (Thomas), ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”’ I truly think this is what He was trying to tell me. If I truly believe, he will bless me in ways I cannot even imagine. I must believe it BEFORE I see it, no matter how long it may take.

I’ve had a hard time trusting people these days because I used to trust people too easily. Then, they just ended up disappointing me, which made me feel like a fool. So, I put up walls and never really trusted anyone fully in order to protect myself. Well, as my faith journey has matured, I knew I had to put my trust in God rather than people and let Him deal with the outcomes for me. That’s easier said than done, but I’ve gotten better at it thanks to Him. However, I hadn’t (and still haven’t) mastered trusting God fully. I’m ashamed to say it, but it’s true. I blamed it on not being worthy of His blessings or on the fear of me making mistakes and being misguided in my belief, but at the end of the day I’m not that powerful. I can’t change God’s plan for my life. I can postpone it, make it more difficult, and have to loop around back to it, but He’s all-powerful and can’t be derailed by the likes of little ol’ me. I need to rest in and trust in that.

As a result, I’ve been actively trying to do just that in the last few days—Dream Big and Have Faith. You’d be baffled if I shared with you what’s happened to me and for me in that time. I’m not sure I’ve processed it myself quite yet. I’ve never had God’s big moves in my life occur that quickly before. All I know is that He keeps His word. He never lies. He never cheats. He never gives up on me. He loves me unconditionally. He deserves my unflinching trust and unwavering faith in His plan for my life because it is so much more than I could dream on my own. Here’s to Dreaming Big and having faith the size of a mustard seed.