503. Big Dreams; Little Obedience?

“Do you dream much?” I asked Stan one morning.

“When I’m sleeping or when I’m awake?” Stan responded.

“I was thinking more about when you are awake, daydreaming rather than night dreaming,” I replied.

“I do,” Stan said.  “I have lots of dreams about what I would like to see.  For my family, for my friends, for the church, for our country, for the world.  Lots of dreams!”

“What about for yourself?” I asked.

“Used to,” Stan replied.  “I used to have all sorts of dreams about what I would become, what I would do, how I would make my mark on the world.  Yeah, lots of dreams.”

“Used to? I said.  “Not any more?”

“That’s right, my friend,” Stan replied.  “I really don’t focus so much on what I dream I will become.  I think the better approach for me is to focus on what I am becoming, not dream about it.”

Continuing, he said, “If I focus on obeying what God has for me to obey, rather than dreaming about what I am going to do, there is a strong likelihood that what God has to accomplish in and through me will be done.”

“I think the apostle Paul covered this subject,” Stan added, “in his letter to the church in Ephesus, where he pointed out that God’s plans are a whole lot greater than my dreams.”

“He wrote that?” I asked.

“”In essence,” Stan replied.  “I think Paul was pointing that out to me when he wrote about the great abundance of God that is beyond anything I can think about.”

Continuing, he said, “Sure, I can dream dreams about me, but I think that what God wants is my obedience to what He has for me, not my dreams about what I want or what I can do for Him on my own initiative.”

“No,” he added, “I think God does not want my big dreams with little obedience.  He wants my obedience.  Period.  As I focus on Him and His will, he will direct what He wants me to focus on.  And I think that is my obedience, not my own dreams.”

Concluding, Stan said, “I am to give all of me, including what I may be tempted to dream about, to the indwelling Holy Spirit.  He is the power in me and He will work according to that power.  I am to give it all to Him, and obey what He gives back in terms of His direction.”

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Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.  Ephesians 3:20

Prayer:  Thank you. Father, that you make clear what it is you have for me to be and to do while you keep me on this side of eternity.  Thank you, too, that what you show me is way beyond what I can dream for myself.  I confess that too often I spend my time dreaming about what I would like, rather than focusing on obeying  what you show me you want.  Please forgive me.  And please, Father, help me in following every step of your lead, rather than dreaming about where I may lead myself.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

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Things to think (and journal) about:

1.  What is your biggest take-away from this devotional?

2.  What does this devotional say about God and about us as His people?

3.  What is God saying to you to do personally?

4.  Who can you share this with to make a difference?

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Comments, questions, suggestions, and the like can be addressed to The Storyteller at: waiting4thetrain@gmail.com.