Dreaming Out Loud

(From John Eldredge's Hope in the Coming Kingdom CDs:)

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is FREEDOM.  And that means there is the freedom to not have to sin, not to live in fear.  Freedom to fail; freedom to succeed.  The freedom to have our heart rest in the security of the love of God, knowing that there is nothing that can take us out of the palm of His hand, knowing that there is nothing, ever, that can separate us from the love of God.  And because of that, we are free to enjoy "the partial" on this side of eternity...

Because sometimes the partial is really great; right!?  The great moments of connection and laughter and beauty stir our hearts.  I've learned that a good appetizer does not quench your hunger, but it stirs it.  The partial stirs our longing for more, and there is more.  There IS more.

We get to dream... No one will get to heaven and be disappointed!  God dreams big, and He invites us to dream with Him.  Since we are living securely in the love of God, we are free to risk dreaming.  God has planted dreams and desires in each one of our hearts, and they are unique to us. When we open up our hearts, our spirits, our imaginations to what we would really like, to the possibility of even wanting, that allows the Holy Spirit to awaken parts of our heart that are in deep REM sleep.  

God is a dreamer, and He has dreams for you!

Dreams and desires are different than goals and resolutions.  It's not about: How can I make this happen?  It's about: If anything could happen, what would I love to see happen in my life and in the lives of those I love?  

The point of dreaming isn't so much naming the dream as it is allowing God access to the places where dreams are planted in you or where they have been covered over by the sorrows of life.  He has planted things deep down, and we want to awaken to them.  He speaks to us in this deep place about Himself, about ourselves.  Yes, the Kingdom is coming, and that is the anchor for our souls.  And because of that, it's okay to want more and long for more - we will never reach the end of His goodness, His kindness, His mercy.  With God, the possibilities are endless for your life.  Each of us wants to continue to grow in who we are throughout our lives.  The heart that is alive is awake and curious and open to pressing into more."  

~Stasi Eldredge

* * * * * * *

So what do you want... both here on earth and in the coming Kingdom?

What would you love to create or experience or offer?

What do you want to be known for?

What do you want with God?

* * * * * * *

"God wants our hearts to be more alive and more aware of our inner workings and His pleasure over us and who we are in this moment.  We are being transformed.  We are.  Faithful is He who called you and He will do it.  It's not about striving; it's about resting.  You get to become increasingly yourself."

The following is my favorite part of her teaching:  

"Treat your heart with kindness, compassion, and mercy!  The way we treat our hearts is the way we treat everyone else's.  It just happens.  Do you treat your heart with the freedom to dream, to love, to want?  The way you treat your heart - the things you say to yourself when you blow it - that's the way you treat others.  So how do you treat your heart?  With mercy or exasperation?  With gentleness or with harsh words?  With compassion or contempt?  With hope?  With love?  God knows it's difficult, and the only answer is to invite Jesus in...  Christ in me, help me to love even myself."

"Today, let God awaken your dreams!  Let them lead you further into the full expression of who you are.  Let them take you as far as they can.  This isn't about resolution, but pure, unfiltered desire.  With God, nothing is too good to be true.  Nothing.  He has made promises to us for a future and a hope and a heart that is glad!"  ~Stasi

"No matter how your heart is grieving,

if you keep on believing,

the dream that you wish will come true." :-)