Bigger Dreams

This is the first official "guest blog" post here.  It comes from my good friend, Sara Napier.  To check out more of her writing, click here. I will only preface this by saying that I hope you are as encouraged by this post as much as I was.

Bigger Dreams

This has been a pretty interesting year, if I do say so myself. If someone were to have walked up to me a year ago to tell me that my life would be like it is today, I'm not sure I would have believed them. The more I talk to people about this subject, the more I see it's a re-occurring theme. 2011 was a year of change for many and for more people, that probably means some major discomfort and perhaps a few sleepless nights. The end result? Hopefully clarity and strength for the days to follow.

So, what's in store for this next year? I can't say for sure but I can't shake the feeling that it's going to be one of greatness! Possibly the most amazing year I've ever seen. I feel like it will be a year of dreaming and reaching goals. Perhaps it is just the optimist in me but I think 2012 could really be my/your/our year! Here is something to think about: If dreams can only be limited by what we anchor them with, if they can only be challenged by trying to reach them and if they simply cost a moment of thought to the vessel they inhabit then why should our dreams ever be small?

I don’t remember anything great coming from aspiring to just "get by" (I mean, isn’t apathy revolting for anyone else, yet?) So, how do we change our lives? How do we reach our dreams? Well, my dear Watson, I feel it's all mind over matter. Simply stated: Change your thoughts, change your life.

Now, I can't tell you how to do that from an exact, psychological standpoint though I know the place to start would be in the word of God. The verse in Romans that says

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." -Romans 12.2

is not just there for decoration. We must renew our minds. In other words, we need to change the way we think about some things! There are a lot of brilliant truths that can be focused on in Romans 12.2 but for now -- since this post is about changing our minds -- let's focus on just that! Over the course of the last few months I have seen where my mind needs to be renewed. Here are the simple facts I thought I already knew and lived. By renewing them in my mind, they are seriously changing my life right now. Perhaps, they will do the same for you:

1. I anchor my own dreams. I limit what is possible in my own life.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” -John 14.12-14

2. I need to stop getting so worked up over stupid details. I limit God in my own life just because I look around a little bit too much and use “worldly” methods for problem-solving rather than applying some faith. I think I’ll live a more peaceful life from that alone but then bonus! He promises peace!

“Jesus answered them, 'Do you now believe? Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'” -John 16.31-33

3. There is not a person that loves me like God does. This passage is kind of a trip for me. He loves me! So much so that He would prepare a place for me. I could write an entire entry, blog theme or book on this very passage (in fact, I'm pretty sure people already have) so without saying too much, this passage has really helped me to heal and put some things into perspective.

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” -John 14.1-4

4. My dreams are meaningless if I don’t hang them on the One that inspires them. God gives me a vision but also the provision to carry it. I cannot for a second think that it’s going to work out best if I let another person handle it for me or allow myself to believe that a person could ever take the place of God.

“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' ” -Matt. 19.26

5. There is not a thing that can separate me from the Love of God. Though I can walk away and I can break His commandments, I will not be abandoned by or cut off from Him. It’s honestly my fault when I fail in that area.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8.37-39

With all of this in mind, what stands in my way of achieving anything great? Why should I be fearful of the journey ahead or jaded by the paths behind? No, I believe this coming year is one that should be celebrated, a year where every opportunity should be seized and relished. I am not one for "New Years resolutions", per say, but if that will help you act on this then by all means, consider it that. Let's all strive for this together. What are some of the things you can renew your mind with? What thoughts do you know need to change?

Let us move forward this coming year and be the people that God tells us we can be. The sky is the limit and dreams are free so let's get on with this new year with renewed minds, renewed hope and renewed strength!

Dream big and dream often!

Let the Revival Begin.