Do you have a dream, a goal, a vision for your life? Does it
seem to be just short of your grasp? I know the feeling.
For those who don’t know me, I’m an author of Christian
fiction and nonfiction. My latest novel, a historical Civil War romance, is
called A Thousand Shall Fall. It’s
book one in my Shenandoah Valley series series. Truly, it was a dream of mine to
see this story in print. God worked in the hearts of the folks at Kregel
Publications, and my book will release November 28, 2015. (Answered prayer!!)
Here are 3
ideas that have encouraged me and they might help you catch your dream – and,
perhaps, even change your life.
1) Pray about your dream-goal. If you’re like me, then you
have lots of ideas. Not every one is worthy of your time – or is God’s will for
your life.
We can get busied up in all kinds
of meaningless things. So begin a journal and write down all the things you’re
involved in. Pray over each one and ask God which to eliminate so you’ll have
the time to journey down the God-given path for your life.
2) Practice “planned abandonment.”
In her book Jesus Life Coach, Laurie Beth Jones writes: “Planned abandonment
doesn’t mean walking away from something that is difficult or isn’t working
anymore. Planed abandonment means choosing between good and great, between
better and best. Planned abandonment means that you are able to say no to all
that glitters and discern what truly shines.”
Search out all the EWs in your
life. EWs are “energy wasters” and we’ve all got them. They’re those things
that crowd in on us when we least expect. They can be the meaningless ideas I
previously mentioned and they can be people who suck your time, perhaps wanting
advice but unwilling to change their behavior or step out in faith. An EW, for
example, might be that neighbor who comes over every night to sit on the couch
and…bloviate. As you begin to eliminate EWs in your life, that neighbor may
have to find himself another roosting place.
3) Participate in your own life. Don’t just talk about all
things you want to do someday – do them!
I recently watched the movie The Music Man and near the end of the
motion picture, Professor Harold Hill tells Marian the librarian something quite
profound, I think. He says something like, “If you keep putting everything off
until tomorrow, all you’ll have is a collection of empty yesterdays.” How true
that is!
And just remember, Tomorrow and
Someday are days of the week on a planet that doesn’t exist! So quit
procrastinating (and I’m pointing one finger at myself too!), turn off the
“boob tube,” as my father called TV, and take steps toward accomplishing your personal
goals. It doesn’t have to be a leap of faith. Only small footsteps.
Dare to dream – and imagine
yourself a part of that vision. It’s attainable! If you’re a believer in Christ
Jesus, He has put that power within you. And remember: With God all things are
possible!
