The Amazing Power Of a Dream

This past week I heard of 98 year old Sensei Keiko Fukuda, a woman in San Francisco who earned Judo’s highest black belt—10th degree. She is the first woman to ever earn this degree and is one of only 3 other living individuals in the world who has earned this honor. Ms. Fukuda noted that she had to spend decades at lower degrees because she was discriminated against as a woman. Yet she persevered to achieve her dream.

“When your memories are bigger than your dreams, you’re headed for the grave” —Author unknown

        Do you still have dreams that are driving you beyond your memories and beyond your present situation in life? It is amazing the power a dream, a vision of our lives in the future can have on us to keep us going even through the most challenging of circumstances. The Bible talks about this power but nowhere is it most evident than in the lives listed in Hebrews 11. This is a chapter that is known as ‘The Hall of Faith.’ This great chapter begins with a definition of faith—“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Then it presents individuals who have seen a vision of what God has in store for them and who then live incredible lives in line with that vision.  Such individuals as Abraham, Joseph, Moses, etc.

Do you have a vision of what God desires for your life? Here are a few ways to get one:
1. Do that which is already revealed to you about your life.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 tells us that the will of God for us is our sanctification, our separating ourselves from sin. There is no need seeking advanced instruction when you’ve not even met the basics.

2. Pray that the Lord of your life will give you a glimpse of His desire for you.
• Psalm 16:11 tells us that the Lord will make known to us the paths of life.

3. Ask others what they see in you that you have not stepped out to act upon.
• In Proverbs 15:22 we read that in a multitude of counselors is a plan established. Seek counsel.

4. Step out and try.