Has the size of your dream so contrasted against your present circumstances that you feel overwhelmed? I have recently felt those tuggings at the heart-strings, those calls from a deep place that urge you on to more, a more that is not defined, it is not clear - it is like a vision beyond the mist - it calls you, but eerily and hauntingly so. For those readers who are of the Jesus persuasion, this, my friend is an invitation to adventure. When God so calls you, and stretches your dreams and visions for your life, you often feel so small, compared to such a large dream, that you feel unnerved, unprepared, unqualified, and unworthy. That's a good place to be.... that's a good attitude to have. My life vision has been so stretched in this last season of my life and my journey with God, that what felt as a decent-sized boat, rowing in the middle of a lake, suddenly seems life a little
itsy-bitsy coracle threatened by the vast ocean that has been revealed through the enlarging of the horizon.
In the bible, Jesus gave his disciples a seemingly impossible assignment - They were asked to feed a multitude of five thousand men, not counting the women and children.
When evening arrived, his disciples came to him saying, "This is an isolated place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves." But he replied, "They don't need to go. You give them something to eat." They said to him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." "Bring them here to me," he replied. Then he instructed the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, twelve baskets full. Not counting women and children, there were about five thousand men who ate. -Matthew 14:15-21
The first reaction is telling, for they focused on their lack "We have here only......." We lack, we lack, we lack. The assignment is great, but we just don't have the resources for it - the mind indeed is willing, but the wallet is weak? Jesus asked them to bring whatever little they had to him, and that would make all the difference. Multiplication followed. When we focus on what we do not have, we hamstring the very dynamism and power available for us to achieve our goals and dreams. As we follow this path of life, go to Jesus with what little you have, even if it seems ridiculous given the gargantuan task in-front of you. It is always enough when you go to Him. The power follows, the task is accomplished, and your dreams fulfilled when you go to Him, for He is the source of everything you need.
As for my grand plans and dreams? Who knows? As I go to Him I may just find myself stumbling into the grace needed for the task at hand.
Peace out.
