What Is Your Dream?

By Lynette Hagin From Kindle the Flame 2004

God has plans for us. Many times, God wraps up His thoughts and plans for us in our dreams—dreams that we may have had since childhood. For example, I always knew that I would marry a minister. And, thank God, I married a good preacher. I love to hear my husband preach! The dream of marrying a preacher was important because I knew that my destiny was wrapped up in that dream.

As we pursue the dreams God has given us, there come times when God tells us that we need to wait for His perfect timing. If we try to accomplish the right thing in the wrong season, it will not be a success! However, we do not need to forget about these God-given dreams. Every once in a while, we need to rekindle, or re-fire, the dreams God has given us. Our destiny depends on it!

Second Timothy 1:6 says, “That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]” (Amplified).

In following your dream, here are some useful tips.

1. Be careful with whom you share your dream.

When Joseph shared his dreams with his brothers in Genesis chapter 37, the brothers began to hate Joseph because of his dream and sold him into slavery. While in prayer concerning my own dreams, God once told me, “Let Me unfold the plan before you reveal the plan.” Let God work these things out according to His timing.

2. Hold fast to your dreams in the silent years.

In Psalm 13, David was experiencing a time when he wasn’t hearing anything from the Lord. (Sometimes, you may feel the same way.) But what did David do? In verses 5 and 6, he says, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me” (NIV). During the silent times, don’t question God. Just praise Him! Minister to the Lord, for when you minister to Him, He will minister to you.

3. Don’t become jealous when others’ dreams come to pass before yours.

By making you jealous, Satan will distract you from your own dream.

4. Don’t let offenses keep you from fulfilling your dreams.

Consistently walk in love and forgive. (See Mark 11:22–26.)

5. Follow the road on which God leads you.

Proverbs 3:5 and 6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Taking detours will delay your dreams. Pay close attention to God’s direction. He will lead you to victory every time!

6. Forget your mistakes!

Dreams are hampered by majoring on mistakes you’ve made in life. Paul said, “. . . FORGETTING those things which are behind . . . I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13–14).

7. Don’t allow your limitations to keep you from fulfilling your dreams.

God inspires ordinary people to do extraordinary things. It’s not about the size of your ability; it’s about the size of your God!