Oftentimes, life’s challenges and unexpected circumstances cause us to defer a dream. A dream that has been placed in our hearts by God can often become buried by responsibilities, poor choices and even circumstances beyond our control. Yet God’s grace and mercy affords us those second chances we don’t deserve. God can restore time and opportunity when we allow ourselves to be open to what to what He can do instead of focusing on what is impossible for us to do under our own power.
Abraham had a promise of a son. This promise came to him when both he and his wife were well beyond child-bearing years. While waiting, Sarah became impatient. She hastily took it upon herself to “accelerate” God’s plan which resulted in later turmoil and strife.
We often make the same mistake when we work outside of God’s timing and end up with a mess! In our microwave ready world, the notion of waiting on anything seems futile and frustrating when we are constantly bombarded to “do it now and get it now before it is too late.” That may be the way of the world but it is not the way of the Word.
Abraham received his blessing after he obeyed God. And many years after, at that. Then, his obedience was tested yet again, when he offered up the very child God promised as a sacrifice. (Genesis 22)
We often want the blessing but are remiss to be obedient, especially in areas that are “comfortable,” even when we are well aware those same habits and comforts distance us from God’s very best.
God desires to bless us but we need to want to be blessed enough to change.
We must renew our minds not to pursue what we want, but to be willing to pursue God’s will in our lives. Anything else would be less than God’s best anyway. Who wants that? You can struggle outside of God’s will and even when you are in it! But when you are in the will of God you can have peace that you will overcome your trial and not be overcome by it.
A willingness to do new things (like obey), meet new people and change attitudes and habits often manifest a different result. These changes often take time but thankfully, God holds time in His hands. His timing is always perfect.
Joshua and Caleb had faith that they could inherit the Promised Land even though it took decades to see their dream fulfilled. They were the few spies who lived to see the promise fulfilled. Joshua knew that they were well able to take the land with God on their side and said so! God rewarded them for their faith. (Numbers 14)
If you don’t have faith enough to speak life with your words, what good can manifest under those circumstances? You have to expect God’s goodness if you want to see it. Allow your mouth to align with your spirit. Allow what you know to supersede what you think!
Sometimes we lose sight that we are well able because we are trying to accomplish things under our own power and not through God’s power. The great things we are blessed with and desire to achieve are often done not through our own ability but God’s power in us enabling us to endure to the end.
We all seek the blessing but few are willing to endure the test that puts you in position to be blessed. When we trust God enough to walk out His plan for our life then can we embrace joy and peace even in the midst of what we perceive as trials. The bigger the blessing, the longer the test. The longer the test, the greater the testimony.
Joseph suffered many trials and many years before he became ruler. He kept his faith even after he was sold into slavery, lied on, and imprisoned. He continued to hold on to the dream God placed in his heart. His faith allowed him the confidence to expect better. Joseph expected deliverance, telling the chief cupbearer to “remember him” while imprisoned. The cupbearer did remember Joseph but not until years later. (Genesis 41)
Joseph’s blessing came by way of preparation. Joseph allowed his God-given gift to interpret dreams to provide way for his eventual promotion. How many of us would have been too concerned with our own plight to help the cupbearer while in dire circumstances?
Expect the best and prepare for your blessing, realizing that preparation will probably require patience with a good attitude. Whatever dreams you allow to die within you, God our Father, can resurrect. He is the absolute Master of bringing dead things to life. He can even resurrect you into the person you were destined to become instead of someone currently content with what is comfortable.
Our feelings can convince us that nothing good will happen because we can’t see God working or we can’t see our circumstances changing. Instead, we must act on what we know God is capable of doing and the plans He has for each of us. God gives us a dream. Rarely will He reveal how it will manifest. If we knew, that wouldn’t require faith, patience or maturity on our part. The journey to deliverance is just as important as the manifestation.
It is never too late. There are eighty year olds competing in triathlons. Octogenarians are earning college degrees. People are pursuing second and third careers to fulfill dreams they deferred decades before.
I know a ninety year old man who recently was able to purchase his dream car, a red Mustang convertible! He never gave up hope and decades later God allowed his dream to come true!
Whatever your dream, God can make a way. He can do the impossible if you will stretch your faith and allow Him to be your Lord of your life!
Pray that God aligns your will with His will. Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t give in to disappointment or despair. Never doubt God’s plans for you. God’s timing may be later than you’d like but if you have faith and keep it…God can make later the best ever!
What are you believing for? Are you willing to wait patiently in faith for God’s perfect timing?
B Is for Blessed! 