I dreamed a little dream....

“To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents. What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.” –Sir Winston Churchill

I sent this quote to a friend this morning and in the midst of reading it, I began to think about my own life and whether I’ve missed any chances that God has offered to me. Do you sometimes stop in your busy life and think, “Am I doing what God created me to do? Am I truly utilizing the gifts he has given me?” For me, that moment happens more often than it actually should. I fear that I will wake up 20 years from now with regret. That is my greatest fear. That somehow I’ve missed it. Did God give me tap me on the shoulder and present me with a chance of which I was not prepared?  Maybe. Probably.  However, what I do know is that whenever he “offers the chance to do a very special thing, unique to [me] and fitted to [my] talents” I want to be ready and say, “Here I am Lord, use me.”

So, how do I prepare for this opportunity that I know nothing about? I abide in Him. Think about the times when a huge crisis hits your life and you’re thinking at that moment, “I wish I wasn’t wasting my life two weeks ago, but rather been in the Word so I can know how to attack this problem.” How about the times when you do know how to attack an issue because you’ve been allowing the Holy Spirit to disciple you? It’s great, isn’t it?  I had that type of epiphany recently. God has been teaching me about making agreements about who He is based on my circumstances and emotions. He chose to teach me this through a book that my roommate lent to me. And because of this, I am now keenly aware of when the enemy tries to get me to make subtle agreements based on the ‘funk’ I’m in on a particular day. Just because I don’t feel like God is hearing my prayers doesn’t mean he is not. Anyways, that’s what I’m learning at that moment. I’m putting it into practice and surprise surprise, it is working. I think back on days I spent making these small agreements and I didn’t even know about it. How many barriers did I create between me and my Father because of my unbelief?

I say all this to reiterate that I want to be ready when God offers me that opportunity, whatever it may be. I don’t want to wish I was ready, I want to be ready. I desire to examine my life and know that I pursued the dreams that God placed in my life.  In saying that, let us not lose hope if we feel like we’ve missed it. Praise God that he is a God of second, third, fourth, and fifth chances. My pastor once said, “Don’t think you’ve missed God’s destiny over your life because of one mistake?” I believe that to my core. If we only get one chance, then I’m walking through life aimlessly right now. But I know I’m not. God births dreams, and my friend, he also resurrects them. Hope is not lost. Fellowship with the Holy Spirit and ask him to light your path, and He promises he will.

For I shall teach you; I shall make known to you the way in which to go and I shall set my eyes upon you.-Psalm 32:8

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.—Psalm 119:105

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours; we are more than conquerors through Christ, who loved us. –Romans 8:37

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. –Jeremiah 29:11