Believe It
If you're anything like me, I'm sure you've thought out which style of wedding dress would compliment your body shape best, and you've imagined your groom's face the first moment he sees you in it. You know exactly how many kids you want, and you've even determined you are going to name your oldest son after his father, Harry. You've probably imagined all the adventures you and your potential other will experience together, like skydiving or backpacking through Europe, maybe even swimming with dolphins. Well, some people might call you hopeless and obsessive, but I'd call you a dreamer.
A few years back, I was in a nearly three-year-long relationship with this boy (let's call him Bob) who I had fallen quite hard for. Together, we planned out our futures. Most of my thoughts were focused on Bob and planning out my life around him and with him. Being a dreamer, as I've previously mentioned, was mind and time consuming enough, but being a dreamer in love ... I was a mess. I invested so much of my time, my heart, and my expectations in these dreams we built together; so much so, that when Bob (shockingly and suddenly to me) up and left, my dreams were abolished. I had no future plans or ambitions that he wasn't a part of. (Pathetic, I know.)
It wasn't until months later when I found myself facedown on my bedroom floor, weeping and questioning God why he would allow me to experience such loss, that he spoke to me. He reminded me that I was His daughter before anything else. He wanted my heart and my dreams before anyone. He showed me how much He wanted me to be invested in Him. Many times in His word it says that He is a "jealous God." He showed me just how much I had put Bob before Him. I was ashamed and embarrassed.
God had so many beautiful dreams planned for Himself and me together, but I had chosen Bob and the dreams I built with him. With Bob, I felt like I had more control over my dreams. It was difficult for me to put my hopes and dreams in God's hands, knowing He would be the orchestrator of my dreams and not me.
I was trying to create new dreams on my own without God or Bob in mind, but nothing felt right. I felt empty and without clear direction. After months of struggling back and forth with God, and myself, I finally gave in to God.
Thankfully, The Lord had already begun orchestrating my dreams without my knowledge. He opened up doors that I feared to open. But all the while, He kept whispering in my ear, "Don't worry! I've got you. Just take that first step of faith, and I promise I won't let you down." He wanted me to let go of things I held on to most, because they made me feel secure and in control. He again whispered, "Let me be your security. Put your trust in ME." So I did.
Here I am, a completely different person because of that decision. I have new dreams, new ambition, and a new hope, all in The Lord. A song called "Pure and Holy Passion" describes my "dreamer's transformation", if you will. The chorus writes: "Give me one pure and holy passion. Give me one magnificent obsession. Give me one glorious ambition for my life: to KNOW and FOLLOW hard after YOU." Truly, I can say this is what The Lord gave me.
I have dreams that I never thought I'd be courageous enough to have. I am filled with peace that my dreams are the dreams He placed in me. Because of that, I know he will allow me to fulfill them for His glory. He says in Luke 1:45, "Blessed is she who believed." So, believe it.
I went from being a girl who had all her dreams invested in a boy, to being broken, shattered and hopeless without dreams, to now being a confident young woman whose dreams are fully invested in Jesus Christ, with the complete assurance of his plans for my life. Surely His plans and dreams for me are greater than any dreams I could have come up with on my own. I wouldn't trade His plans for me, for the world.
I encourage you that if you are a dreamer, let God do the dreaming for you. Invest your dreams in Jesus. You will be amazed by the life-changing adventures he plants in your heart. It might be scary to give Him reign over your dreams, but I promise you - you will not regret it.
Melody is a fun-loving dreamer from California. As a represenitive for Becoming Esther Ministries, she dreams of traveling the world and telling everyone about the love of Jesus. <3
by Melody Mohnhaupt