—–
I hate dreams. They wake me up at night, put vivid images in my head that make me believe there’s a boogeyman under my bed.
Seriously, people. I know there’s a giant-sized spider just waiting to get me.
But every once in a while, a good dream crops into my subconscious — one that makes me smile in my sleep, lets me know that anything is possible, makes me want to hit the snooze button forever so I don’t have to wake up.
As a writer venturing into the wide unknown of the publishing world, I’m not gonna lie… Dreaming big petrifies me.
Because what if my big dreams make me look like a fool? What if they don’t come true and leave me disillusioned and jaded? Or have me seeing spider-boogeymen around every corner? (I know you’re shuddering with me.)
Or worse yet, what if achieving those dreams means a lifetime of growth pains beyond what I can bear?
Do you see why I hate dreams?
But in the midst of my fear, a small voice whispers,“It’s not up to you, Sarah. Align your dreams to Mine, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Of course, this doesn’t let me off the hook. I have to do the legwork to obey the calling. But God promises that if I surrender it all to Him…
“He can do anything…—far more than I could ever imagine or guess or request in my wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing me around but by working within me, his Spirit deeply and gently within me.” Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)
Last week, my friend Jessica Patch wrote this on her blog: “Most times, when God gives us a dream, it’ll be bigger than us so we don’t get the glory.”
And in those truths, I can be at rest — smile and trust that anything is possible. Because His power is at work in me.
—–
How about you? Do you let yourself dream big? How would your dreams change if they were fully aligned with God’s? What encouragement do you gain from the words in Ephesians 3:20?
*The photo is of a plaque I found in a shop in Monterey, California. I was at the Books & Such Agency retreat, where the topic of the seminars was “Building the Career of Your Dreams.” Think God was trying to send me a message? 
LOVE that quote by Jessica and love that verse from Ephesians! I am living that verse right now and so thankful that His dreams and life-scripts are beyond what I could do!!! So excited to see how He is using my/our story to bring glory to Him!
I’ve loved following your journey, Bekah, from the desert to the “promised land”.
I’m with you. Dreaming big is tough because I’m not a fan of falling on my face. This is a great reminder to align my dreams with God’s and get rid of the fear.
If only it were as simple as saying it, right, Julie? Praying for divine courage for both of us.
“Dreams” — and going for big ones! — seems to be the reoccurring theme this week. I’m listening and embracing it. (And I keep wishing I’d found an identical plaque to yours while we were in Monterey.) Love The Message version of the Ephesians passage. Thanks for sharing.
Oh I know, Beth, I only saw one plaque or I would have directed you to the store. You could always create your own, I suppose.
I’m pretty sure being the youngest in my family well prepared me for looking like a fool, so I’ve gotten used to it and it’s fully inspired me to be free to DREAM BIG. Fun post, Sarah! Where did you get that sign?
~ Wendy
Funny you should ask, Wendy. I was with a really cool friend when I found it.
Dreaming is tough. But I find if I don’t allow myself a few minutes of a good dream…it makes me sad – like I don’t really care about it when I do. I dream big sometimes. Why not? Like Jess said, God gives us those big dreams, bigger than us, so we don’t get the glory.
Amen, Loree. I seem to go through seasons of dreaming, followed by seasons of fear. If only I could release that fear and dream big every day!
Ahh, I love that verse in Eph. 3. It’s one I go back to over and over.
I’m a big dreamer. I’m a believer in big hopes. I so often hear people say they don’t want to get their hopes up too high and well, I get that…mostly. BUT, when I think about the fact that God is the giver of dreams, well, it makes me want to hope all the more…I guess the key is really hoping in and dreaming toward him. And then those specific dreams, well, they’ll find their place in the bigger dream of loving and knowing Him, living out His plan for me.
Okay, don’t know if any of that made sense. But yeah. I’m definitely a dreamer!
I love it, Melissa. Thanks for your inspiring words!
I’m dreaming BIG dreams for you, Sarah. You’re a talented writer, and I’m eager to see what the Lord has in store for you. I have a hunch I’ll be doing some serious celebrating with you soon.
Thanks, Keli! You’re always such a wonderful encourager. Can I put you in my pocket and take you everywhere with me?
Love that plaque, Sarah! And I’ve always been a big dreamer–when I was little, I wanted to be the first female president of the United States…that’s no longer my dream ha!–but I think sometimes I get waaaay too stressed out that I’m not achieving them. I think it’s good to dream big, but to keep it all in perspective. God’s perspective. To remember that we are NOT a culmination of our achievements. But, like you said, our dreams should align with His. And I’m pretty sure God dreams big for us, so I guess we should too.
LOL, Lindsay (aka, future Mrs. President)
I totally relate to what you said about getting stressed when not achieving your dreams. I love something Beth Vogt told me a couple weeks ago (not word-for-word, I’m going off of memory here)….Dreams are out there, but we have to focus on the tangible things we can do right now and leave the rest up to God. Takes the pressure off, doesn’t it? 
I think I’m more afraid the big dreams WILL come true! Am I really ready for that??
Ready in His timing, right, Sarah?
My thoughts match those of Sarah Thomas. When I think about the demands placed on authors, it’s daunting.
It is daunting, isn’t it, Susan? But we can do “everything through Him who gives us strength.”
Beautiful thoughts here! Sometimes it is easy to get overwhelmed with the dream, but God gives it to us and somehow we forget and think we are the only ones who care about it. We are not capable without him. But when he brings it to us without all of our overachieving attempts at control, WOW is the blessing amazing!
I love what you said about thinking we’re the only ones who care, Michelle. It’s like God’s standing near us this whole time saying, “Helloooo, I gave you this dream in the first place, didn’t I? Let me handle it.”