When did I stop dreaming big dreams? When did my imagination stop being “out there?”
Last Tuesday evening I took part in what was called “Owen After Hours.” About 3-4 times a year the business community of Owen County get together for about an hour and a half at a local business to visit, tour (if possible) and “rub noses.” I have taken part in a couple of them. This past week we were hosted by Quality Surfaces- makers of granite (and other materials) counter tops, sinks, etc. As we toured I came across a picture hanging in the hall. I was glad I had my phone with me because of the saying. The picture was of a giant iceberg with most of it being below the surface. The saying:
What we can easily see is only a small percentage of what is possible. Imagination is having the vision to see what is just below the surface , to picture that which is essential, but invisible to the naked eye. (Source Unknown)
I’ve given some thought to it and have flashed back to my childhood (some say I never left it). Episodes of Sea Hunt (starring Lloyd Bridges) recreated upstairs. (I was going to scuba dive someday, but eventually gave that up since I hated swimming lessons). The Lone Ranger. Combat. Reliving Bill Mazeroski’s 1960 World Series’ Game 7 winning home run as though that would be me some day. Intrepid explorer. The guy in the white hat. The guy with the Colts coming out of the holster quicker than a blink.
SO MANY DREAMS. SO MUCH IMAGINATION. WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM? WHAT HAPPENED TO IT?
I sometimes feel like the person who says, “Of all the things I miss, I miss my mind my imagination the most.” I miss the wonder. When did it become so dangerous to think outside the box? When did it become so difficult to dream? Then I read this:
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Eph.3:20-21
When did I stop trusting God to do far more than I can ask or imagine?
When did I start putting a lid on Him?
When did I start doubting He is capable of doing the impossible?
Yeah…when did I?
When did I become so lax in expecting the unexpectable…the unexplainable…the incomprehensible?
Yeah…when did I? What am I going to do about it? That is the question now. And I ask you the same: when did you?
I know Sea Hunt from my dad. And though I wasn’t born yet, being a Yankees fan, that World Series is one of the most confounding. The Yankees outscored the Pirates dramatically for the series as a whole. And I wonder, too, when I put God in a box.
First comment: below the belt!
It was an interesting series. But now I don’t/can’t like you. A Yankees fan? Puuuleeeeaaaase!
Hi Bill,
I don’t look for miracles and provision from God unless I am in need of these.
I think that I experienced God’s help and provision this week moving furniture and boxes upstairs. My boarders are coming from Bermuda this week. I’m amazed at what I was able to move upstairs by myself. I’m 58 years old. I’m a woman who hasn’t been exercising for months(some would say years).
God has prepard me for others coming to live with me. I have someone staying here right now making preparations for his family and we are doing really well. God is great, and amazing.
We look to God for what we need. I had a tired and sore back a couple of days ago. Now, my back is pain free. My back feels like I didn’t do any moving of furniture at all today. I praise God and thank him for his goodness and for his provision of health and wholeness.
I didn’t know if I could be ready in time for renters. So God gave me extra days. The study visas were held up in the mail. My boarders are in Bermuda awaiting these study visas. This allows me the time I need to have all things prepared and ready for them at their arrival.
We don’t have to imagine situations and circumstances for God to prove himself. We just have to live our lives. There’s enough fodder there for miracles of provision, healing, ability, enablement, gifts, etc.
God is amazing. There is no doubt of this.
I am not saying to look for them on a daily basis. I am saying that we have sometimes forgotten God can do those things. He has always promised to provide for our needs.
… When my life went in ways that I didn’t want it to go. … Too often I take credit for the good and scream at God when things go off course.
Been there done that. Still want to.
We have a tendency to limit the reality of God by our limited experience and perception…
May we see Him beyond our experience and perception. May we know His limitless and all powerful presence. May we dream and live in Him – never doubting His enabling.
You have grasped the reality of my thoughts Dusty. His power and presence is limitless and powerful.
Bill, your post reminded me of a recent experience I’ve been through. Last year, God called me to leave my job and dedicate my life to social work. I was positive that it came from God, He confirmed it to me many times through many people that didn’t have a clue about it.
When I was positive about it and I told my boss and then other people from work and church, I was so disappointed that my non-christian friends were more supportive than the christian ones.
They understood and respected my faith and were touched by the will to make a difference that God had put into my heart, but my christian friends (most of them, not all of them) were more concerned about the big salary I was giving up on.
I never saw it coming. After praying for so long about it, I couldn’t understand how people who believed in God didn’t understand a radical calling from God.
Then I prayed about it. I asked God to somehow show them that it was His will. After a while, they stopped trying to convince me to not quit my job.
Now, after almost a year, most of them finally got it. There are some who doesn’t say anything for or against it.
God used the non-christians to give me support when I didn’t find it in my brothers and sisters.
Anyway, today I am so glad that I made that decision. I don’t regret it, not for a second.
And now I am volunteering with a non-profit organization that rescues children and adolescents from the streets of São Paulo. They work with their social and spiritual needs.
And I am a tiny piece of the work that allows those children to be able to have dreams of their own again.
Bill, just one more observation about the experience I shared: my pastor was always supportive of my decision. From the moment that I told Him that I felt that God was calling me to do quit my job, he said that somehow He felt it was God’s will.
So glad you followed the leading of your Father and not the words of those who may have not had the best intentions in mind. They certainly didn’t understand what God was telling you. You sought confirmation and it is cool to know He did. And so glad your pastor was a man of faith and supported you. That is so cool! Good to hear from you Cris.
For me, I can honestly say I never have… I still dream, what a gift! I can’t say that some of those dreams became reality and weren’t nightmares, but that’s the wisdom part for us hard heads.
God has given us the gift… and I truly believe that since we belong to him, we have even stronger ties to miracles, for others and ourselves.
It might be time for you to write that book Bill…
I would love to sit and talk with you Floyd about your dreams (and nightmares). Me? Write a book?
Too many our there saying what I say already.
I am preaching revival services at another local church and the Lord laid on my heart this question – What am doing right now that if God is not in it I just do not fail but I come to ruin – so to answer your question – when I started relegating God to an insurance plan rather than trusting Him.
Excellent question Jim, and answer. Hope your meeting is going well.
We are all basically practical atheists at heart. We want what we want and are in charge of our lives, until things go really wrong…then we call out for God.
For the life of me I can’t understand why He loves us in spite of these facts.
But He does.
I can’t figure it out either Steve.
That is one of my favorite verses. I pray, meditate on, and quote it often. Why? I need that reminder. I’m standing for some pretty impossible things right now, but there is always more and greater He desires to lead us into. I’ll take the stepping stones. For each one of us, as He shows us where we’re not lining up, we can rejoice because we ain’t dead yet and there is time to repent and move forward. Thanks for the honest reflection and challenge. I know He’ll lead you into His “exceedingly and abundantly.” Thanks Bill.
Would love to hear some of those “pretty impossible things” right now you are standing for. Thanks for the challenge to me as well.
I think life has a way of causing a person to stop dreaming. I know I have allowed life’s challenges and problems cause me to lose focus of my God given dreams.
One way I spark and keep the dream alive is by reading inspiring books. They allow me to know my dreams can come true with God and a lot of hard work.
Life happens is one of my favorite expressions. Thanks for the suggestion also Dan.
Your welcome.
Sorry to all of you for delaying in responding. I made a last minute trip to Ohio to drive my sister-in-law home. Jo had driven to get her; they attended the Women of Faith conference; and Jo was so tired I thought it good to drive her. It was. Thanks for understanding.
I’m not sure I ever really believed He could do the all those things in ME.
Maybe I lacked imagination or maybe I used to be pessimistic.
Regardless of what I used to be or how I used to believe, I now am ready and waiting for God to do far above all I can dream or ask.
Daily He is revealing Himself to me and I love it!
I feel like a kid in a candy store with a limitless credit card! Oh the possibilities!!!
That is so cool TC that you are experiencing God’s riches for the first time.
Honestly, I stopped believing years ago when all the prayers I prayed for big things to happen in my life never happened.
Been there done that. Still struggle.
I’ve found that my fervor and my audacity tends to wax and wane over time. It’s not really a trend so much as a cycle. But my hope is that I can break that cycle.
You make a good point Loren. A lot of it does depend on our “cycle.” I too would love to break that cycle.
Love that scripture from Ephesians!! I needed that!
Welcome