Do you make your goals and dreams small out of fear of failure or that it just doesn’t seem possible? Me too. But let me tell you, “With God all things are possible!” (Matthew 19:26)! I know I tend to think asking the big stuff is just “too much to ask” or lack of faith that it could actually happen. God has been showing me lately that He wants us to dream & pray big and trust in Him! He has great plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11), not just mediocre, play-it safe-plans!
Do you know you are capable of so much more than you realize? According to this interview with Dr. Murali Doriaswamy from Duke University…he says all of our brains are primed for superhuman abilities! My husband and I have had the conversation about Jesus saying…if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you (Matthew 17:20). My husband believes this wasn’t just a metaphor…Jesus was saying you could actually do it! Peter really did walk on water (Matthew 14:19) after all! Even if Jesus didn’t mean we could actually move the mountain He sure did mean we can do what we believe to be impossible when rooted in Him!
My husband and I read a book that opened my eyes completely, The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle. Highly recommend checking it out! It explains how we all have a tendency to believe that the Mozarts and Van Gough’s of the world were just born with these talents…but that’s just not true (sure God gives us all certain passions and gifts) but those artists/performers studied and studied and lived music and art! It was the struggle and continual practice that made them great! It’s the same with professional athletes. The book was saying that we can actually change our brain! We are able to form new brain cells (neurons) in our brain and “build” myelin (a fatty substance that wraps around nerve fibers and serves to increase the speed of electrical communication between neurons)! This was revolutionary to me because I thought I was the way I was and there was no changing that. But this is so not true! We as humans are so much capable than we give ourselves credit and I believe God wants to live to our full potential! I could be a concert cellist if I was willing to put the time and effort in to do so. Amazing!!
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18
We are being transformed into the image of the living God who walked on water, healed the blind and rose from the dead! God doesn’t want us to stay where we are, He wants us to grow in Him and use us in ways we never thought possible! God is working through us for His good purpose (Philippians 2: 13)! He is not only giving us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4) but also showing His glory to the world through you! I believe the passions you have on your heart God gave you for a purpose! That is your unique purpose that no one else has!
Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.
Jeremiah 1:5
My husband has “God gives you the talent, you give the effort” on the whiteboard in his office. In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 15:9).
In church on Sunday there was a cute couple that had just gotten engaged and met while on a mission trip in the Philippines. He had a love for basketball. They had just been granted land to help teach locals different skills and how to spread the word while in their new careers. Apparently, basketball is huge in the Philippines. They are going to be building basketball courts at the training site, teaching locals how to spread the word of God while they are playing basketball in their communities! How amazing is that! His love and God’s plan are tied together! God is just so cool like that!
I think we sometimes believe that we have to give up all of who we are to follow Christ (sometimes He asks us to give up all of our possessions and dreams for a greater purpose…) but He gave us our unique qualities, dreams and passions for a reason and the absolutely amazing thing is, I believe He aligns them with His plan and works everything for the good of those who love Him!
I believe God wants us to pray bigger, dream higher and climb those mountains we’ve been afraid to climb! Not trying to protect ourselves or fear of what others think of us or being let down! Which I am so guilty of!
Part of conquering our fears also lies in surrender and trust. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). God’s plans and thoughts are so much greater than ours!
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”, declared the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55: 8-9
If we only let go and surrender. Stop living in the valley and be courageous to climb the mountains we have no idea the GLORY that awaits us!!
We do not know what is lost by our self-indulgence, what glory awaits if we only have the courage to climb, or what blessing we will find if we will only ascend the mountains of God!
Streams in the Dessert, J.R.M.
This was in my devotional and God was speaking right to me! I have been living a life afraid of being unhappy because I wasn’t “getting”, trying to protect myself from being hurt + fears and worries of unmet dreams or desires. But God is saying that He is SO much bigger!!
We should never be content to rest in the mists of the valley when the summit of Mount Tabor awaits us. How pure is the dew of the hills, how fresh is the mountain air, how rich the food and drink of those who dwell above, whose windows look into the New Jerusalem! Many saints are content to live like people in coal mines, who never see the sun. Tears sadden their faces when they could be anointed with heavenly oil. I am convinced that many believers suffer in the dungeon when they could walk on a palace roof, viewing the lush landscape and Lebanon. Wake up, believers from your lowly condition! Throw away your laziness, sluggishness, coldness, or whatever is interfering with your pure love for Christ. Make Him the source, the Center, and the One who encompasses every delight of your soul. Refuse to be satisfied any longer with your meager accomplishments. Aspire to a higher, a nobler, and fuller life. Upward to heaven! Nearer to God!
Streams in the Dessert
When we make Christ the center of our lives and let go of ourselves we have no idea the amazing things He has for us! His plans and his thoughts are so much greater than ours! I don’t know about you but I want to get out my box of fears, worries, and laziness and pray and dream big! Even if God closes doors (which I will be thankful for…at least do try to be;), because I know it was for my good) I have confidence in knowing I am striving to be who He created me to be, and that’s a strong confident Jesus-filled woman, and if I fall…He will be there to catch me. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down (Psalm 145:15). I cannot wait to see what He has in store!
And my friend, never forget that He has amazing things in store for you, no matter where you are in your walk of life! Believe it!!
Let’s make this year a year of not living in the valleys, but conquering our fears, dreaming + praying big (and believing He will answer!) and climbing the mountain that He has in front of us and Soaring!!!
Much Love, Alicia
For more encouragement check out this song!
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