This Hump-Day Wednesday let’s discuss our dreams. What dreams live in your heart? Some dreams have resided there since childhood. While others unveil as we experience life. Our daydreams are comprised of pie-in-the-sky possibilities. We all dream… but do we all reach for them? Are you reaching for your dreams? I went to see a movie that ignited this contemplation.
The movie was The Biggest Little Farm. It’s a movie/documentary about a dream of Molly’s, one she had from childhood. She dreamed of owning a farm where she grows food in abundance and has a plethora of animals. With her dream tucked in her heart she lived day to day doing the best she could as life advanced. She married a filmmaker (John) who filmed various life events (as do we all). John’s footage in the movie depicts the passage of time, passions and love. And in that process we learn of Molly’s love of cooking and growing organic food. In their urban apartment, she grew what she could from her balcony. She shared this journey through her blogging/vlogging channel.
Then one day John had a film job at a shelter for dogs. Sadly, many were about to be euthanized. John found himself strangely drawn to one. He called Molly to discuss the dog while showing her (and us) the dog’s beautiful blue eyes. Her answer was no, but john persisted and fortunately for the sake of the dog and theirs, John brings him home. They make one promise to the Todd (the dog) which changes the trajectory of their lives. They promise him that their home will be his last home. We watch with bated breath as the reaching of their dream begins to unfold.
While the movie documents their dream of farming, it relates to anyone with a dream. All dreams have highs and lows to maneuver but we tend to forget that. In the beginning the highs of simply reaching for your dreams are exhilarating! But eventually obstacles tumble in on us that can waylay us. We dust ourselves off and continue. Then comes another one, then another! And at this point discouragement becomes a reality with which we are wrestling.
The Biggest Little Farm reminds us of this as we surmount their obstacles with them. With each obstacle we’re taken aback… with them. We ask the questions we never hear them ask, is it worth it? Is it time to throw in the towel? As the obstacles build a discouraged John observes his dog’s behavior. He noticed that through it all Todd simply observes everything… quietly. He lays there taking in nature while noticing the smallest of details. And John absorbs that lesson and steps back to quietly observe too. As he does, something begins to shift in John and the answers he sought begin to flow in… one at a time. The shift sets in motion a shift in circumstances. And this too spoke volumes to me.
You see we run here and there trying to manage our dreams and our lives. Add to that the expectations of family and of others. It can get overwhelming. We need to take a lesson from John’s lesson. While the movie is not a Christian movie, I still hear God speak. He speaks in and through all things. As John stepped back and observed Todd, he found a new perspective. How much more when we step back to focus on God? When do we allow him to re-calibrate us and our dreams? He always meets us where we’re at. He will change or confirm our directions. The dreams he put within us… he will grow, confirm and also guide our paths.
All dreams threaten to consume us because our love/passion for them can easily drive us. Yet dreams are a pathway to our calling, not our identity. The dream is not what it’s about… it’s always about the process. Is your dream your identity or is it part of your calling? Is it for you or for others? Is it to reveal your identity to the world or God’s? Examine these questions. Seek God. Allow him to transform you so you’re not conformed by this world’s ways.
Isaiah 40:31 tells us that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles they will run and not become weary they’ll walk and not faint. Wait on the Lord. Let him examine and shift your dreams as you seek him. Hold your dreams with open hands as you seek God. Follow him and his ways and he will lead you in peace. Look to the Lord in all you ways and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Lord, for some, will you ignite the dream to a reality? For others will you fan the flame? I pray we’ll seek you daily and desire to cultivate our relationship with you through prayer and your word. I pray our eyes are ever on you and that we are filled with your Spirit and not consumed by the dream. Establish the work of our hands Lord, for you know all our days and we live before you, looking to you.
On this Hump-Day Wednesday, remember to lay your dreams at his feet as you worship him. And remember that Friday is always acomin’, but most importantly… Christ is coming back too!