Guest Post by Nate Beaird.
One of my favorite authors is Erwin McManus. I love his writing and it was because of him, in part, that I started in ministry.
I had a lot of dreams and desires in my heart from God, but after reading his book, The Barbarian Way, I had enough courage to actually DO it. I once wrote about how God uses different people to accomplish His plan. Erwin is one of those people. He has a passion for inspiring people, and I was just one of his victims.
In his book, Soul Cravings, Erwin makes a quote that I love, and have thought about frequently. It goes like this; “Your dreams fuel your future.” I had never looked at it that way. Right away I was proactive in my gifts, and calling. I volunteered to do even the smallest of things that would help my accomplish my dreams, and in turn, build my future.
That quote changed my life, but as I ponder it, I feel like it needs to be expanded.
Dreaming dreams is only half of the equation. You see, it wasn’t enough for me to dream. Sure I’d seen a vision of the future I wanted, and acknowledged it to be from God…but I had to decide to act.
So, no offense Erwin, but I think it should go like this; “Dreams fuel your future, but decisions are the vehicles that get you there.” (Surely you don’t mind a minor tweak to just one of your quotes, most of which also inspire people to act on their dreams! Thanks for the creative liberty credits…)
I’ve known several people who have dreams of a life they want, one that could and should be, but settle for less than God’s best because:
A) It’s easier to do nothing.
or
B) They are scared.
That’s like having fuel in your car, but sitting at the on ramp- dreaming of your destination without deciding to push the accelerator to get there. A life that leaves a legacy, is a life that is obedient and available to Christ. Available to dream dreams, and obedient to actually pursue them.
The wisest man on Earth once wrote, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.”
Dream dreams. Trust God. Decide to leave a legacy.
[Image from Xava]
I watched/listened to him speak online last week at the lifechurch forum …i'd not heard him speak before and found myself "captured" by his stories and shared one of them with my wife.
Great quote and addition to it. I really like Erwin. I got to spend a few days with him two years ago in Paris and Zurich and he is intense and an incredible thinker. God used him to speak into my life as well. Thanks for sharing!
I remember reading soul cravings and being so inspired and excited to do something that I immediately started jotting down dreams that I had. The problem was (like you said) I did not take the vehicle to get to my dreams. My dreams died on the cutting room floor.
I like what you added to this quote and agree. The trick for me is figuring out which dream can actually be a reality. But McManus talks about dreaming while you pray. he talks about how God can take our imagination and dreams and do something we could never believe or imagine.
Thanks for the reminder, now to pick up my dream off of the floor and do something.
powerful words man!
Erwin has been HUGE in my life! I've never met him, but would give my left hand to chill with him for a few days! It's great to take a step back and re-evaluate our dreams and our lives, and see if they match up. Thanks for your comments!
You (and Edwin) are exactly right. You can have the fuel and the dream, but if you have no vehicle, all you really have is an explosive. God called us all to be stewards of the dream he's put into our hearts.
wow! Great post man, encouraging words for us all. God sized dreams are scary, and it's tough to push the accelerator in our lives many times. But to leave a legacy, we must trust God. Dream dreams. Trust God. Decide to leave a legacy. Well done.
simple, but powerful thought. the most interesting feature is that OUR dream encompasses us reaching into the lives of OTHERS to build HIS kingdom- good stuff nate.