One of my favorite things to do in the whole world is to people watch - I love just sitting sometimes in a big crowded place with lots of people and watching. The things we human beings do are really quite remarkable.
This week - I sat in the Bess café..beautiful spot - trying to collect my thoughts about this weekend..and people watching. There were business people - suits - dresses - brief cases (all work no play) - older people, large groups of them -- complaining about the service and the restaurant's prices, but excited about planning some event for later that day. Group of media reporters -- laughing.
Groups of foreign travelers - Europeans -- Planning their very busy tourist schedules. Waitresses - the manager - chefs - just flying around..and one old man..who was trying desperately to carry his plate from the buffet with shaky hands and a cane. It was a bustle of activity at 7:30 in the morning..The thing that struck me was this question: Why is it that human beings strive so hard?
Why do we have such a strong desire to succeed in our careers - or to reach our goals in business?
Why do most parents want to raise their kids to be the very best they can be - no matter what sacrifice the parents make?
Why do we have a driving urge to make our marriage work?
Why are we on an endless pursuit for knowledge?
Why do we strive so hard? And the answer again came very clearly to me as I sat in that beautiful spot alone..Because we were created for eternity..and we all have dreams that we're pursuing in our lives.
Every one of us has dreams.
- A little girl dreams of some day becoming a ballerina.
- A little boy wants to grow up and be a fireman.
- A young woman desires to become a lawyer.
- A high school athlete puts his sights on the CFL.
- A stay at home mom desires to someday run her own business.
- A single mom dreams of someday being able to stay at home and take care of the kids.
- A business man dreams of one day owning his own company.
- Others dream of being involved in a life-changing church.
- Some want to own a new truck or a VW bug or a piece of land.
- Others want to feed the hungry or make a difference to someone in need.
- Still others want to "make it" in singing or acting or sports or just be successful in life, or raise our kids to be successful in life.
One thing we have in common - this I know..Every one of us has dreams.
Norman Vincent Peale said this."To achieve anything significant, everyone needs a little imagination and a big dream." No matter who you are or what your position in life..in order for you to achieve all God intends for you, you need a dream..in fact, you need a big dream!
Now, I'm not talking about flaky dreams and wishes. I'm talking about a compelling vision of what could happen in and through you if God were allowed complete control - that His plan and purpose for your life would be fully realized. T.E. Lawrence said this.."Everyone dreams - but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it is vanity. But the dreamers of the day are dangerous men that they may act out their dreams with open eyes to make them possible!"
Folks, today we're gonna see what it takes to be dangerous dreamers..Before I begin - take out the notes. On there (5 dreams you have been entrusted with) write them down.
Let me start with a couple of I believe statements..
"I believe deep within us - each of us has the desire for more of life - to do more - to become more - to get the most out of our lives."
Because - "I believe the desire to get the most out of life is part of our makeup (design)." See..in the very moment of creation, God in a way only God can do, placed within each of us a little bit of eternity -
The Bible says that we are all created in the image of God. Well folks, most of us have no idea what that really means. Psalm 139 says that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" - and in these days, I'm just starting to see the beginning of what this means for my own life..
Here's the picture I've been getting - the God of all creation - the God of the universe - when He created you - when you were woven together in your mother's womb -- God placed within you a dream and a vision that would take your whole life and more to fulfill - In fact, that dream placed within you at the moment of creation has eternal elements to it -- Think about that..The God of the Universe has designed us in such a way that our dreams will last forever. (I'll talk more about that another day.)
Suffice it to say that God has woven within you and me - the threads of greatness and significance.
Here's what I believe..
I. God inspires ordinary people with extraordinary dreams.
1 Corinthians 2:9: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him."
Key phrase - "For those who love Him." This can be every one of us.
I heard someone put that verse in another phrase - "Little is much when God is involved." We may think we are ordinary kinds of run of the mill people - and we may even tell ourselves that big dreams are for big people and I'm just one of the little guys..In fact, I think that most of us tell ourselves lies every day about our potential in life.
"I won't do anything remarkable."
"I could never do anything special."
"I will never do anything of significance."
"I will never change the world."
Folks, I believe this thinking is not only bad self talk - but it's bad theology. Because as ordinary as you and I think we are -- God is a master of taking ordinary people and doing extraordinary things with their lives..
Let me remind you of some of the humble beginnings of some of God's allstars:
David - a shepherd boy (the runt of the family) who became king.
Mary - a young impoverished girl who - because of her faithfulness and steady spirit - was chosen to bear God's Son - Jesus.
Peter - An uneducated, red-necked fishermen who followed Jesus - and changed his world.
Mother Theresa - a tiny little nun who has impacted the whole world like no other in the past generation.
Martin Luther King - a poor black kid - with a dream to change racism in America forever.
Jean Vanier - a Canadian who gave up a life of power and politics to form an international organization called L'Arche - which sets up communities for people with intellectual disabilities. You would be hard-pressed to find a Canadian who is more humble - yet a world changer. For each of these people, it was never the size of their reputation - but the size of their faith that made the difference -- Their dream was tied fast to faith.
"Little is much when God is involved." Hear this - it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from. All things are possible for those who believe - for those who love God. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Cor. 2:9)
So..if all this is true - if we are people born with potential running through our veins..and if we attach that innate potential with the power of God leading us as we go about our lives, then the good thing should happen - right? Shouldn't our dreams be playing out even now as I speak?
And so as I sat this week people watching in the beautiful surroundings of the Bess café, I had to ask the next question (which came pretty naturally). If we were created for greatness - if we were created for so much more..then why is it so many of us aren't achieving more?
Why aren't we challenged and encouraged daily?
Why is home a bore?
Why do our marriages not have that spark?
Why is work such a grind?
Why are we all too often indifferent about life? If I asked you - do you feel fully alive? Are you really pursuing the dream inside of you? What would you say? Our desire is to answer - "yes" or "that's how I'd like to live my life." But - the truth of the matter is this (Tony Campolo) - "Many people live and then years later die, without having really lived at all." Countless folks never reflect with any awareness or intensity - on any part of their lives. Thoreaux said this - "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation" A modern day philosopher puts it like this: "We aren't desperate - but we are vaguely dissatisfied - because we have been living half lives, half-heartedly."
Folks, if I can be blunt - you and I have the amazing ability to settle for shallow living. Country song - (I'm a country music fan) "If My Life Was a Horse - I'd Have to Take It Out and Shoot It."
Have you ever heard of a sloth? It's a mammal..
- sluggish and inactive
- build no homes or nests
- Lazy
- Don't even seek shelter for their young
- Sleep 15-22 hours/day (sounds ok to some of you)
- Rise in late afternoon to eat whatever leaves are close at hand and then go back to sleep.
That's a sloth - sounds like me when I'm on vacation. You may or may not know this, but sloths got their name from the Bible. The Bible actually describes sloth as a sin (something not in the design for our lives). Sloth - "is the failure to do what needs to be done - when it needs to be done." A slothful person is always a step behind or sleeping too late or missing opportunities that life presents.
All of us wrestle with sloth -- the wrong of unreached potential.
Sloth is best described as: hitting the snooze button on the alarm; hitting the remote control on the tube; hitting the road when going gets tough.
On the flipside, sloth is not just a do nothing, couch potato, remote control flipping, potato chip eating, coke drinking bum. Being slothful can also happen to hard working people. You can work hard and even be successful at your career -- But even workaholics can be lazy. They may work hard, but avoid doing that which is truly needful - Some of the busiest people I know are still living their lives on cruise control -just going through the motions. They are letting things run their course. They are satisfied to just get through their lives.
I am in the process of facing sloth in myself -- I have been grappling with this since I turned 36 this summer - asking myself where I am going -- with my life..
with my family (3 children),
with my marriage,
where does success really lie for me?
Where will this church go?
See folks, I don't want to miss even one minute of real life! I love this quote by Thoreaux: "I want to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life - I want to seize life by the throat and not let go!" But, how do I? How do we accomplish that? How do we seize life ..and not let sloth overtake us again? Here's the answer - it's incredibly simple, but not easy.
II. Reaching dreams is all about paying attention.
Proverbs 4:1 - "Sit up and take notice so you'll know how to live.
1. Pay attention to the here and now.
It is vital for us to live in the present - The truth is, most of us are plagued with thoughts of only the past or the future. See, when we focus on the past, we are fighting these emotions: uneasiness, regret, guilt, anger, bitterness. These emotions prevent us from moving to the here and now. Other people live in the future - which is filled with "what ifs" and "if onlys". Always looking to our next experience - to our destination - instead of to right now -- today -- this minute. Avoiding the present has almost become a habit in our society.
A couple summers ago, we went to the Calgary Zoo. Had never been before - designed to be a slow walking tour (3 hours) -but not me.
I was going "Honey, pick up the pace - let's go.seen one giraffe you've seen 'em all." I honestly thought about 1 hour would be all it would take. I had nowhere to go - but I just had to get there. We must learn to invest in the present! I missed out on seizing the beauty of life! Imagine what it would be like if we could live each moment in a state of focused attention and heightened awareness and emotion.
We are in far too great a hurry to get somewhere other than where we are. We rush through life trying to find the important parts and we tend to forget or pass by all the rest. The reality is -- ordinary moments - when we experience them fully - is what makes us alive!
Be practical -- How do you keep this in front of you? Schedule in moments -- give yourself daily reminders. Here's what I do:
- Sticky note - slow down and smell the roses.
- Day timer - write in "seize the moment."
- Write in "Open your eyes on the way home."
"Watch people when you go to MacDonalds."
- Go for a walk in the rain.
- Enjoy a long cup of coffee on your deck.
- "I will relax today."
You know, children know how to live in the here and now - (they don't need reminders). They have a very keen sense of wonder, creativity, delight, curiosity, and spontaneity. It's like they see everything for the first time.
Our kids are 3, 5, and 8 years old - amazing. Energy and love and personality to burn.great kids - but don't like to hurry. A while ago, driving by a slide in a park - "Daddy can we stop?" No - no time - we'll go tomorrow (3 a.m. - awoke to a set of eyes right in my face - let's go slide). No time that day - but thought we'd go quick - (Came home between appointments). A real eye opener - they don't hurry. Sharaya was fully engaged in life and in wonder for over an hour. Kaden -- sliding. Kash -- eating sand. Swinging - chasing butterflies. Hurrying never even once came into their minds!
See, we adults forget what it means to take a walk or enjoy a moment -- just to enjoy it!
Our leisure time is even filled with challenging goals and expensive equipment. Saddest of all -- we miss countless surprises our Creator has scattered throughout our day - If only we would pay attention to everyday miracles.
Here's some everyday miracles:
- A grandfather out walking with his wife of 50 years.
- The neighbor's boy pulling his wagon down the street.
- A beautiful sunrise or sunset.
- Flowered yards and gardens.
- A cool walk in the evening -- just to smell the harvest air.
It's simple -- What you see is what you get! It's all a matter of keeping my eyes open. Moments of beauty - they're everywhere. We need to bring our presence - our attention - into these moments. If you want to seize life, pat attention to the here and now.
2. Pay attention to the state of your soul.
Proverbs 4:23: "Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do."
"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (NIV)
I wish I could get you to take out your schedule (day timer) and look at last month. What would be there? Work, recreation, concert, church gathering, trip, family stuff, clean the house, go for coffee. Most of those are good things -- but all too often the most important thing is frequently absent - contemplating the care of our souls. How do we pay attention to what's going on inside? See, we need more out of life than working, sleeping, eating, relating. We need to go against the compulsive business and drivenness of our society. We need time to be quiet! To reflect and explore the meaning and the purpose of our lives! We need to make time for solitude. God is speaking.
Isaiah 55:3: "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake." Awesome! A lot of us are terrified of being alone and quiet. It seems we cannot function without noise or people. Me -- extrovert - love people - silence kills me (circus - I could do that). Folks, if we don't slow down and retreat, we won't ask ourselves the most significant questions of life. We need to create time for solitude.
Be practical -- Here are a couple of examples of putting solitude into your life:
i) Mini solitudes - every day
- a few moments alone in a quiet car.
- a walk in the early morning.
- your room late at night.
Seize these moments and focus on your soul.
ii) Larger blocks of solitude
- These times will only happen if you plan them boldly into
your schedule.
- Write SOLITUDE in your calendar.
- Get away for 2 or 3 hours or 1 whole day and reflect on
your life.
Some of you are saying - a whole day? What would I do?
Get a pen and paper -- reflect on your emotions. Write it down. Are you bitter or angry? Are you loving? Are you sad? What do you hope for? Are there people in your life you need to get things right with? Do you need to say "I love you" to someone? Ask God to show you these emotions. See folks, you have to make a
space for God to speak into your life. You can't seize life without quiet time with Him. Isaiah 55:3: "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake!" (The art of being alive.)
Pay attention to the state of your soul.
III. Dreams come alive when you offer them (and yourself) to God.
Proverbs 16:3: "Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed." Here's a couple things to keep in mind:
- Does your dream honor God?
We must remember God is the One who made us up - He placed us on this earth for a reason and a purpose - He placed that dream within us. And our job is to simply to discover that purpose and dream and carry it out! Let me ask you this:
- Do you serve people with love and kindness?
- Do you care about the people you work with?
- Are you honoring God with the money you earn?
- Are you developing people to their highest potential?
- Are you helping the hurting and needy?
Folks, your life and dreams must add up. If your dream is a scheme - it'll show up.
- Schemes are selfish.
- Schemes are about lining pockets.
- Schemes are about personal recognition.
- Schemes always end up with hurt people.
But dreams and success (of all kinds - not just money) in life come when we honor God with our lives. Do your dreams honor God?
Secondly, if you want to honor God with your dreams, ask yourself this:
2. How can I ensure that God's dream and mine are the same?
Folks, motivation for dreams and life is so vital!! Why do we do what we do? What is driving it? To be clear on motives, we must be clear on God's place in our lives. 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Those who follow Christ become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!"
Tony Campolo describes "becoming new" like this: "There is a passionate love for God that He creates in us when we surrender to Him. It is this love for Him that is the basis for a whole new way we can look at life. The God who calls us into that intensely personal and passionate relationship with Himself transforms us through that relationship so that we can encounter everything else in our lives by that same passion."
Folks, when Jesus is in your life - there should be a new passion for life and for pursuing your dreams when He is given total control. We will feel His passion in the way we worship - the way we love - the way we work and the way we play. Everything from the way we taste food to the way we read poetry becomes intensely alive when Jesus is in our lives. He brings our dreams and plans to life. It's all about being made new on the inside..by Jesus..That's when real dreams get established. Realizing your dreams is about becoming the right person under God.
Allow your life today to be open to God. Give Him the freedom to change and forgive - to open up areas - to build your life the way He wants. When He has the controls, when He's driving the car - guess what happens? His plan and His vision becomes your plan and dream and vision. Proverbs 16:3: "Commit your plans to God and they will succeed." Honor God with your life and He will honor you for a lifetime. Offer your dreams and your life to God.
One more thought. Let your dreams carry you..There is a song I love - it's called "Burn the Ships" -- It's about a Spaniard named Cortez..who was one of the first Europeans to land and travel America..Cortez discovered certain area and then went back with a dream to inhabit this new land and brought people back with him. People landed and they soon saw the huge challenge of starting a new nation in a jungle, and their dream quickly began to fade..And they wanted to return. Cortez said we can't return - we've burned the ships. We're in a new day - a new time..Yesterday's gone - so let's build the future.
Folks, dream big with huge faith attached to it. Any dream worth its salt will have much opposition..and many challenges.and the key will be this - will you be looking down at your troubles or will you be looking up at the One who placed that dream within you? |
