Do you have a dream? Something deep in your heart you know God put there?
My guess is that you do. But when is the right time to follow it?
There is an easy answer. The best time to take the first step toward your God-given dream is the moment God gives it to you.
It doesn’t make sense, I know. There is A LOT going on. You lead a busy life. Don’t you think God knows that? He knows more about your life than anyone . . . yet He put the dream on your heart.
I had a dream to be a writer. I attended my first writers conference when I was twenty-two years old and pregnant with my third baby. My dream of sharing the good news of God through publications wasn’t completely fulfilled when I was twenty-two, but I took the first step—the step God was asking me to take.
I had a dream to reach abortion-vulnerable women in our community. I gathered with a small group of others who desired the same thing even through I was a writing, homeschooling mom of three who was also caring for my dying grandfather. The pregnancy center didn’t launch for another year. But the meetings got us started in the right direction. When it launched I was still homeschooling and writing and it didn’t seem as if I had time to commit to anything else, but God brought dozens of new volunteers around to help. He just needed me to take the first step to get the ball rolling.
More recently I had a dream to start a Teen MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group to reach young women in inner-city Little Rock. We had just moved 2,000 miles to a new city. I was mourning leaving behind my two oldest (adult) children, my church, and my friends. We’d also just adopted a new baby girl. The stirring wouldn’t leave, and I mentioned it to my new pastor. He encouraged me to start and budgeted the money to start the program.
When I followed my God-given dream to be a writer, I modeled for my children what it was like to heed God’s voice. And God met me there.
When I followed my God-given dream to start a pregnancy center, I modeled for my children how to care for the hurting and needy in our community. And God met me there.
When I followed my God-given dream to start a Teen MOPS group, I modeled for my children how to pour oneself out—even in the midst of personal struggle. And God met me there.
When I didn’t have the time, or strength, or wisdom to achieve any of these things, God showed up. He filled in for all my indecencies. And He brought people around to help and support me. He brought fellow writers for prayer support and encouragement. He brought additional volunteers to take on much of the load. He brought mentor moms who also loved on the teen moms in our community. Most of all He gave me Himself. His strength. His peace. His wisdom. He gave me Himself. He showed me what I can do in Him and through Him.
When is the right time to follow that God-given dream? The right time to start is the moment God puts it on your heart. And as you step out, don’t look at your weaknesses. Instead, look to His strength. And you will never, ever be disappointed.
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