“Jake. I’m going to be a millionaire. Did you know this? I’m going to make all of my money playing guitar. I’ve been practicing. A lot. I’m going to buy my parents a new house and cars, I’ll pay for my sister to go to nursing school and I’m gonna give you money. That way you can just write all the time. Can you wait until I’m old and good enough? My parents told me to hurry up, but I need more time to practice. I wonder if they’ll let me quit school and play guitar all day…”
I chuckled as my young compatriot wandered down the hall, thinking out loud. He was plotting. Scheming. Dreaming. His parents had gotten him the guitar he had been pining after as a Christmas gift. This conversation happened after he had six weeks of play-time and learning this instrument. This was a good sign that it was more than a passing fancy. He had been concocting stories of stardom, with tour buses, fans and at one point, the nine-year-old expressed a desire to have groupies- I’m almost completely sure out of young ignorance.
His dreams weren’t entirely self-centered. Even before hitting the double-digits, this kid knew that he wanted to support those around him. He almost seemed to feel a sense of responsibility based on success that he hadn’t even achieved yet. I don’t know what to expect, but hey- if somebody wants to get rich and support my writing habit, I won’t complain!
I’m a strong believer in chasing after dreams. I believe certain kinds of desire can lead a person to destiny: the things he or she dreams about and ache for have power to make someone move. Desire motivates a man to make sacrifices. Aspirations provoke practice. It seems to me, that God made us this way. He made us and knew that we all need a motivation that’s greater than ourselves to accomplish something.
Just like my friend from church (a young man I taught in Sunday school, years ago), our God-given ambitions are there to serve multiple purposes. The most obvious is that it helps us feel fulfilled. Begrudging and dissatisfying work leads to depression, compromise, excessive television-watching and vicarious living through books and movies featuring shiny vampires or promoting various other social evils.
Dreams also serve God’s purposes.
Successful businessmen, athletes, authors, artists and musicians all get huge props in the church. People like this have the ability to draw people in. Some dream-chasers financially support the body of Christ, or serve it in some other capacity that the average Jesus-person can’t. That was an exaggeration, but people follow their dreams and as a by-product (if they have the right character) they are able to contribute to God’s house in one way or another. The effort might be financial, social, artistic, administrative, or as simple as having a testimony and a platform; the options are as expansive as our wildest dreams.
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Jake,
I l.o.v.e. this post. I have been pondering this very thing a lot, lately. As a business owner & employer, I am continually in AWE of God & His ways. To think that He is fulfilling His plans in my business & my life, while fulfilling His plans in the lives of the people that He brings to work alongside me, is so amazing to me. It is also incredibly humbling & (I feel) such a huge responsibility to ensure that I am handling His people with great respect, honor, & care; drawing out the gifts that God has placed in them & releasing them to grow.
God is plenty big enough to fulfill each & every dream He has given. To think that one person’s dream is more important than another’s is very shallow …and…dare I say, narcissistic. Not to mention, quite an insult to the very character of God….Is anything too difficult for Him? <>
As “Believers”, we should be “believing in” the work of God in others (not just ourselves), & encouraging dreams, not assassinating them.
So, I’m with you on this… Dream on!
Brenda, you and Dave are playing a HUGE role in this. I mean, you’re creating jobs, helping people earn money, some of them tithe on it, others go to school on it, some buy… whatever is necessary to get to their goal. Maybe it isn’t everyone..but still, you’re part of the mix. I keep thinking about the place I work at and how many employees there go to Capital, Church of the Harvest, or whatever and how many of them are helping “support” their churches with their tithes. That’s a lot of Capital people right there! Also, you’re 100% right that no dream is better than another, I sometimes think we miss that when we have CERTAIN professions come around because a few of them are a little more glamorous than the rest. God wouldn’t have it that way and I love that the whole thing originates in Him. First of all, it justifies my lofty dreams but at the same time, it gives them a purpose beyond my own awesomeness!!
When our dreams aren’t self-centered, I believe God will help us along in our journey to achieve them. I think it’s when we replace God with the idol of our unfulfilled dreams is when we get into trouble. Great thoughts here, Jake.
It’s really easy to fall in love with the provision and the and means to something, rather than falling in love with the Provider and the dream-giver… sometimes they’re more tangible. It’s unfortunate. You’re entirely right, my friend!
Great post Jake! I think too often we get afraid of chasing our dreams for fear that they won’t happen…and we’ll fail. Or at least I know I struggle with that at times. But you’re right. It fulfills us, gives us a purpose and, when we have the right character, God uses our dreams to advance His kingdom.
Jason, I think I’m getting to the point in my life where I’d rather fail than regret. I don’t want to say “I should have” ever again. It’s a terrible feeling and annoying as the deuces, too!! As for character, I think we get it along the way, too. Look at the patriarchs… they had their flaws, but God made them righteous not based on their actions, just based on His decision, His choosing them 🙂 In the process though, even if they fell once or twice, regular people became something great because of God’s favor and call on their lives.
That’s what’s wrong with me! I’m not fulfilled at work.Thus the tv obsession 🙂 JK
You know what I really love about this post…you didn’t mention sports. So often I feel that people are like “Athletes, glorify God with your talents” I’ve been hearing that since age 11…but I’ve been drawing since age 3. I’m all about athletes using their platform. It’s crucial. But it’s extremely rare that you hear people talk about people in the arts using their talents for Jesus. I like this.
Sarah. You hear a lot about athletes because football players and wrestlers sit at the top of the Christian caste system. Didn’t you know this? 😉
Glory to God!
“…for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:!3
Thanks for the encouragement!
Tammy, perfect verse for the subject. Thanks for that!
A-men, I actually believe God honors dreams and desires if sought with the proper perspective. It probably won’t surprise you to find out that when I was first in business my ambition was all about me. Talk about beating my head against the wall… God’s first period. As Christians when we have that proper perspective I believe we find passion and inspiration that someone without God can’t muster in their own flesh. The fact that I’m still alive in this business climate is sure proof God shelters his children and delivers miracles, even to us less that sharp children. I love the post and the subject for inspiration is right up my alley. Good job my friend. Your words pumped me up!
I think we tend to make it all about us. The reality of our dreams and circumstances is that we’re participating in God’s story, so why would our dreams have much to do with us? More than not, we’re a bunch of tools being used to serve His purposes. The great thing is we find joy and fulfillment in this because it’s why we were made!!