When I was little, I thought about being a teacher some day. I liked the idea of helping others learn about subjects important to them.
Then I read some non-fiction books that helped me better understand God and His plan for me, and I thought how amazing it would be to write books that helped others.
Later, when I heard a speaker at my high school, I wondered if I could ever impact the lives of others through speaking.
I didn’t know anything about these careers or how to begin, so it’s no wonder that my college studies took me in a different (and more safe) direction of risk management. Sure, I could teach, speak, and write about my knowledge of business, insurance, and risk, but I gave up the idea of turning these childish fantasies into careers.
Boy was I wrong!
I had no idea that those fantasies were actually part of a bigger dream—a dream that God placed in my heart. That’s how He works, you know:
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4 NAS).
This Scripture is two-fold. It means that God puts the desires in our heart and then He fulfills them.
Unbelievable Dreams
At first, I didn’t think my dreams held any meaning. That’s because of two issues.
1. I didn’t fully understand my dreams. They seemed distinct and disconnected; how could I have three different careers? But I’ve learned over the past few years in the writing world that speaking and teaching are integral parts of writing non-fiction. If I didn’t have a desire to do all three, then I wouldn’t be as successful as God apparently wants me to be.
2. I didn’t understand God’s long-term vision. I was looking for short-term wins, but God was focused on the long-term goal. It wasn’t His will for me to get published in my twenties, but maybe my books will come out in my thirties. Even if it takes longer, I am now content that God’s will is perfected on His time and in His way. All I can do is work diligently; He’ll handle the rest.
Celebrating Wins
Nowadays, I rejoice in the place God has me, and I celebrate every little win. This month, I have several things to be grateful for.
1. A Win for Writing – A few weeks ago, I shared with you that one of my articles was included in the anthology Faith and Freedom, which makes me a “published author.” As if that weren’t cool enough, I now have my own author page on Amazon, which includes my bio, links to my blog posts, and a list of upcoming events. Folks can even follow me on Amazon to know when my next book comes out.
2. A Win for Teaching – In July, I’ll be teaching a five-week class at the Tallahassee Christian College and Training Center called “Begin with Blogging.” I look forward to helping others start their blogs from scratch so they can get their message out there. I was recently interviewed on Wave94 about this upcoming class. If you’re interested, click below to hear the recording. You can also learn more and register at www.TCCTC.org.
3. A Win for Speaking – This year, I got serious about making my dream of speaking a reality. I’ve been working with a coach to solidify my messages and learn how to reach out to churches and conference hosts. Take a look at my Speaking Topics here and let me know if you’re interested in booking me for your next event.
4. An Awesome Opportunity – Next week, I’ll be joining my mentor Michelle Medlock Adams in New York, NY! We’re going to the Book Expo of America, the largest book expo in the US. Not only does this make the book nerd in me very, very happy, but it will be a great time to meet with publishers and this year’s hottest authors. I certainly didn’t expect God’s path to take me in this direction, which makes me all the more excited to see where it leads!
Your Dreams
What’s your dream? I know you have one because God puts desires in each of us. Perhaps you’ve forgotten what that dream was…or maybe you’ve been waiting so long that you think God has forgotten you.
Earlier, we looked at Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Do you know what the next verse says?
“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it” (Psalm 37:5 NAS).
This week, I encourage you to write down what’s in your heart, even if it seems like a “childish fantasy” at first. Ask God for clarity and guidance, and then write down whatever He gives you. The more you seek God’s will for your life, the clearer it will be. And the more willing you are to take a leap of faith in God’s direction, the stronger your faith will become. Commit your way to God, and He will bring about the dreams of your heart in ways you never imagined.
Need prayer? Leave a comment below with your dream list, and I’ll agree with you in prayer this week that God will give you the knowledge, favor, and wisdom to move forward. God bless you as you live (and dream) for Him!
