This week we’ve been looking at our God-sized dreams and callings. We’ve tackled what if you don’t have a dream anymore and what to do if your dream is dormant. I hope you’ve been encouraged if you find yourself in that spot, as I recently found myself there too.
Crying out, God showed me through Isaiah 51 MSG to ponder the ways of Abraham and Sarah. And through them, I’m been inspired to keep moving. Keep following the call. And so can you.
Abram shows up in scripture as a 75 year old in Genesis 12. I don’t read much about his first years of life, other than he was married to Sarai.
Then out of nowhere comes the initial call from God.
It’s the God-sized dream revealed to Abram. God speaks “Leave your country, family, home and head to a land I will show you!”
Have you been there? Your minding your own business and then through scripture, a sermon, a circumstance, or a friend you hear God call you. You hear God giving you your God-sized dream.
Do you remember the feeling?
It was probably much like that of Abram’s. Just so you don’t get all cranky on me that I’m deviating from scripture, I’ll just tell you this is an Alene paraphrase — I think Abram thought,
WHOA – did I just hear from God? Yes, I did. I know He specifically told me to ‘leave and follow Him.’ Oh my, this is the moment I’ve been waiting for. A plan from God. A dream, a vision for my life. This is exciting. It’s time to sell it all and go. Give away what I don’t need and set out with God. Oh God, you are magnificent — thank you for a vision for my life!”
I’ll ask again — do you remember those initial feelings and thoughts when you were first called to your dream? I’m sure maybe you had questions, but I bet you were more excited about God and the call than anything else.
Circumstances don’t matter.
Just as you set out to follow what God placed in your heart, we see Abram do that same. He didn’t care that He was 75 and just hearing from God. He was just grateful to leave and follow and see what God would do through him. Quickly he accepted the call and left — left it all!
His life was awakened with purpose. As he sat out he continued to listen for God and His direction, Abram worshipped, and kept moving. Did he know where he would end up? No. He just believed.
Now knowing the journey ahead, he continually listened to God, followed, worshipped and kept moving.
When things get tough — keep moving.
Shortly we see Abram experiencing some of the hardships of following God. Most of the time the journey does cost. Abram had to say good-bye to family and make tough decisions. And when God shows back up again, He says “Get on your feet, get moving!”
In two short chapters, we learn so much. I’m thankful Abram took me back to the initial call I received. Circumstances didn’t matter. Excitement exuded my spirit daily as I couldn’t wait to see where God was leading. Hardships came, but I kept moving longing to see the journey God had prepared for me.
Remember that feeling?
Think back on the initial realization of your dream or the moment you knew you were called. Ponder over those precious moments. Let that energy and excitement flood once again through your soul.
You can do this. All you have to do is keep moving.
I’d love to hear about your dream. Have you lost it? Do you need to recapture that initial excitement?
More about Abram and Sarah tomorrow.
Loved every word, Alene :)
Thanks for stopping by, Bryan!!
Great encouragement! I try to remember not to give up. If God spoke a dream into my heart, he means for it to stay there. Just because I can get discouraged, does not mean it is gone.
I agree — dreams are for keeps when they are implanted in our hearts from God. However, I’ve come to realize that He can definitely tweak and maneuver that dream so that we follow where He needs us.
this is such an important message, Alene. I’ve had to do this regularly. When ministry gets hard or quiet, I recall my call from God and I try to stay faithful to the last word I heard from Him.
Oh how true “when ministry gets hard or quiet” or our numbers are what they were or people don’t show up or calls quit coming — why do we let all those outward circumstances derail us from that initial call. So thankful we can remember the truthful Word from Him.