Filed under: Ideas, Spiritual Formation | Tags: dreams, faith, guidance, ideas, provision, trust
The other night I had a dream that has changed my perspective on some things. For several weeks leading up to the dream I was searching for a desolate, dirt road to film a video I’m producing. I drove around the countryside several times looking for a location to match the picture in my head but to no avail. Everything in my area is so lush and green and dirt roads are hard to find. It’s way too pretty for what I need. In my dream, however, I found exactly what I’d been seeking and it was a familiar place I’d seen many times before. I just didn’t realize it was there because I wasn’t looking at it from the right perspective. In the dream I remarked “It was here all along. I just didn’t see it.” Then I woke up. The odd thing is that to my knowledge the physical location in the dream doesn’t actually exist. If it does, I’m not sure it’s as ideal in reality as it was in the dream. For me the ‘aha’ moment was the most vivid part of the whole ordeal and it’s actually the point.
It’s so easy to spend our lives focused on what we don’t have. We think, “If only I had more _______ !” (most common answer… money) or “If only ________ would give me a chance!” (most common answer… Oprah? 
) or “If only I had access to ____________,” (insert influential, powerful or famous person in your field) or “When ____________ happens my life will be so much better” (insert unlikely miraculous event). We’re convinced that some person, event or change of circumstance is the key to our success. For me, the dream is a vivid reminder that I already have everything I need. Specifically, I believe that I’m sitting on a particular idea (maybe more than one) that will be very successful once I act upon it. I don’t need to wrack my brain for new ideas (which I do a lot) or pursue some elusive, illusive circumstance or connection. I have what I need because God has called me and equipped me to fulfill his purpose for my life. Will he use other people along the way? Sure. Will he engineer specific circumstances? No doubt. But he’ll orchestrate things in my life (his part) as I am faithful to utilize what he’s already given me (my part). I won’t sit back and do nothing. I’m just giving up the notion that someone or something is out there and I’ll never be successful until I find him/her/it. You may have heard of the person who died in poverty on their own land which was later discovered to hold a large natural deposit of diamonds. I don’t know if it’s a true story or not but it’s a true lesson. It’s an accurate picture of how many people live life never harnessing their talents, gifts and ideas to follow a calling and impact the world.
Since my dream I’ve been looking at things quite differently and praying differently, too. I’m thanking God for his provision and asking him to help me see it in areas where I’m missing it. I’m also praying I’ll be drawn to the right idea(s) because I usually have so many to choose from. I encourage you to do the same. Begin with the perspective that you have everything you need and just need guidance on how to use it. Assume that you have the talent and brilliant ideas that just need developed. What would you do differently with this as your starting point?
And here are my scripture footnotes (along with music and artwork)…
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