There is a lot of talk about dreams –
- the American dream
- pipe dreams
- in your dreams
- never in your wildest dreams
- sweet dreams
And then there is Walt Disney who lived out his dream for us all to enjoy:
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
~ Walt Disney
The question then becomes -Â how do we find our dreams and live them out?
In her book, Dreaming With God, Sarah Beth Marr explores this very question. She delivers a call, to each of us, to step out boldly and follow God’s lead.
An author with a background in professional ballet, Sarah uses beautiful imagery to open our eyes to the truth God speaks about our dreams.
As I watched the Olympics, and in particular the figure skaters, I was amazed repeatedly at the spins. It was obvious “spotting” plays an important role as it does in dancing.
A dancer focuses on one object, turns, and whips her head around quickly to bring her focus right back to that same spot. This spotting prevents dizziness and keeps her balance. And so, in this same fashion, we as daughters of Christ can spot the truth of what Scripture says about who we are to God, who He is, and what He has to say about our dreaming hearts.
(page 21)
But we must maintain our focus.
We must persistently and diligently and stubbornly remind ourselves of who God has called us to be. Our abilities and gifts, strengths and weaknesses, all have been hand-crafted by God with purpose and for a purpose.
The world would seek to cause us to limit ourselves and give up on the very dreams, God Himself, has placed within us.
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus so we can do the the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
All our days, and the distinctness we bear, were planned from long ago so that we would stand apart from the crowd and be a reflection of our God.
Dreaming With God is an encouraging and heartfelt book, bringing a most important reminder –
“If God has given you a dream, you can be sure that He will be with you every step of the way.”
*** I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell/ a division of Baker Publishing Group in exchange for my honest review.
Today I am joining … #DreamTogether and Inspire Me Monday and Glimpses and Booknificent Thursday .
Dear Joanne, thank you for sharing Sarah’s book. And thank you more for the encouragement and affirmation that God has a dream designed uniquely for each of us. I’m personally at a crossroads and the term “focus point” resonates. Sometimes determining the focus point is more challenging than maintaining it. Blessings for your gentle words today!
Praying for God to show you your focus point. Alice, may you lean in closely and follow His guidance. Blessings!
This looks like a beautiful book. I read Misty Copeland’s memoir a few years back, another beautiful ballerina. “We must persistently and diligently and stubbornly remind ourselves of who God has called us to be.” This reminds me of a lesson in our sermon yesterday: When the enemy can’t steal your calling, he attacks your confidence.
It is amazing all the truths can be mined from ballet analogies. Thank you for sharing the lesson from the sermon as well. Excellent to think on and very true!
Thank you for this reminder! I needed it as I contemplate my dreams and whether it’s time to set them aside or push on.
Sharing the post and adding Sarah’s book to my TBR.
Very interesting perspective on God-sized dreaming. Thanks for sharing it at Booknificent Thursday on Mommynificent.com!
Tina