By Kristen Entwistle
I don’t put much stock in dreaming. Mostly because I find that the dreams (as in hopes and aspirations) I have end up getting squashed by the world or by other people. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t particularly like this song the first few times I heard it. Then I actually started listening.
The song talks about David, his dreams of being a ‘big-time shepherd someday.’ But God had bigger plans for him than shepherding sheep. David was going to the shepherd king, the one on whom the lineage of Jesus rested. The song talks about Mary, who dreamed of having a family.
But God had bigger plans for her: raising a king.
Makes me wonder what kind of dreams God has for me.
Because if I allow myself to really think about it, I do have dreams: Dreams of white dresses and of kids playing in the backyard. Dreams of teaching and writing and speaking. Dreams of contributing in a very small way to CF research. Dreams of loving the next generation to Jesus.
Sometimes I start to wonder if I’m just deluding myself, hoping that these dreams might someday come true. Sometimes I wonder if dreaming is worth it – if I’m just going to be disappointed.
Because when you’re in the thick of life, when it feels like you’re sinking in the quicksand, straining against the current or stuck in the mud – I find that it’s harder to stay positive, and easier to be cynical and bitter.
But then I come back to this song, Dream For You. What would happen if I let God dream for me instead?
What if I was just have willing to say, “God, do with me and my life what you will. I’m willing to live all of my life for you. Not my will, but yours be done. Not my dreams, God, but yours.”
It’s not like my dreams are unrealistic – being a princess or having a castle or being a millionaire. But in the end, God has a better plan for me than I could ever imagine. And yes, I hope that some of the things that I dream of will come true someday. But I’m going to let Him dream for me tonight, and wait and see what He’s got in store.
So come on, let me dream, let me dream for you
I am strong, when you’re weak I will carry you
So let go of your plans, be caught in my hand
I’ll show you what I can do
When I dream for you
I relate with you here. I just recently am beginning to accept and grasp the ideas of the bigger plans God has for my life. It is scary yet exciting. 🙂
I love this post and need to give my dreams to Him and let Him have His dreams fulfilled for me instead.
I’ve always loved this song! I hear what you’re saying about the disappointment of life when it stomps all over our dreams. But I keep dreaming, it’s just who I am. They help me keep moving forward, and I do keep telling myself that no matter how big my dreams are, God’s are always better.
Marissa
we can have dreams for ourselves – as long as they’re in alignment with God’s Word…
I think God uses our dreams and aspirations to help us on the path to HIS plan for us. Sometimes, his plan is so big we can’t comprehend it all at once so he has to give us little tiny pieces along the way to guide us towards it.
This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately….surrendering my dreams to God. It is so hard to do, but I know that even if MY dream doesn’t come to pass, God has a bigger, better one for me.
God’s dreams for us are so much bigger and better than we can dream for ourselves.
Have you read the book, “Anything,” by Jennie Allen? I think you would love it. It really speaks to your post about surrendering to Go’d dreams
This is beautiful! I totally agree – God’s dreams are so much bigger and better than what we could ever dream. Sometimes His plan for us involves big and lofty things, and sometimes His dreams for us are to serve as a caregiver or as a lunch lady or something else we’d consider relatively mundane. We need to look at those things through His eyes :-). Beautiful post and beautiful song!
God’s plans are so much grander than ours could ever be. What a great encouragement to seek God for direction in following your dreams.
I have been feeling like I need to pay more attention to God’s dreams for me than mine too. I have to be willing to do His will even if that means blogging for one reader, leading two girls at bible study and only leading my little girl to Him. I have no idea if her son might be the leader to change the world. Charlemagne’s mother was a Christian. She raised him around her faith – look what she did.
Thanks for sharing the song. I love it.
Amen! Not my will, but yours Lord
Love Casting Crowns, and this thought provoking and inspiring post!
Cathy
I love this! I totally think it’s wonderful that the Lord has big dreams for us. We just need to get out of our own way and let Him guide our paths!
Isn’t it funny that we feel disappointed when the things we dream for ourselves don’t work out “just so?” When each of us stand in the presence of our King for eternity, I think “disappointment” will be the furthest thing from our minds.
I know – it’s amazing to think that someday this will all just be a memory and we’ll be able to praise our Savior for eternity, and none of this will matter anymore!