Dreaming God-size Dreams

Dreaming God-Size Dreams

Nothing compares to a roaring fire and hot cocoa after a day on the slopes. The rest of the family was still turning in their skis and snowboards, which gave Olivia and her dad a few quiet minutes alone. She leaned back and scanned the room, drinking in the rustic, woodsy charm of the architecture and wrought-iron accents.

“I love it here. It’s so cozy,” she said, “though when I design my ski lodge, I won’t have any lamps or chandeliers made out of antlers.”

“Your ski lodge?” her father asked. “Since when has that become a dream of yours?”

Oops. Truth be told, it was a desire Olivia had kept to herself because she didn’t figure a Christian’s plans should be so frivolous. Living for Jesus meant being ready at a moment’s notice to jump on a plane and eat bugs in the jungle somewhere. It was about doing something you didn’t like for a good cause . . . wasn’t it? Then her dad shocked her. “Well, if that’s the dream God put on your heart, and you’re willing to work hard at it, I’m sure he’ll use you to do great things.”

“Huh? Really?” Olivia asked. “I can serve God by designing lodges?”

“Why not? Someone designed this one for the Christian businessman who hosts retreats here. That’s ministry. Did you see the Bible verse in that frame?”

Olivia walked over to the passage hanging on the wall. Her father took another sip of cocoa and continued, “God wants us to dream big dreams yet always keep him first and be open to his leading. If he wants you to be something else, he’ll get you excited about that. Sweetie, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that he knows best what will satisfy our deepest desires. He created us. He loves us. God’s not out to make us miserable.”

Olivia’s sister and grandmother walked in and started knocking the snow off their boots. Grandma Lucia asked what she was looking at.

“Psalm 37:4,” she replied.

“So what does it say?”

Olivia smiled. “It says if I keep God first, it’s okay to dream about designing ski lodges.”

Daddy-Daughter Time

What’s your God-size dream? Have you ever worried that he has plans for you that you won’t like? Read Jeremiah 29:11 together. Although this promise is specifically for the nation of Israel, it suggests that it’s within God’s nature to bless those he loves. Pray for the ability to trust him and be completely open to his leading.

What’s The Word?

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires.   Psalm 37:4