Life is a journey filled with twists and turns, highs and lows. Through it all, our dreams and visions serve as guiding lights on the path and as our boundaries. How do dreams and visions shape our lives and lead us beyond the promised land? What do you understand about the promised land? And what is your promised land?
For some of us, when we speak about the promised land, we always turn to what was promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob concerning the land flowing with milk and honey. God fulfilled that promise and gave us another, eternal life through Jesus for those who believe Him. Amazing, right? What’s in for you between now and then? Life. Living a life with, in and through Him.
As a journey itself, from birth to death, man has to learn and hold onto what is best for his journey. Faith, hope, patience, love, understanding, and wisdom are some of what we become to live.
The Journey of Life
Imagine yourself standing at the threshold of the unknown, much like Abraham when he embarked on his journey to the promised land (Genesis 12:1-4). His vision of a land flowing with milk and honey propelled him forward, despite the uncertainties that lay ahead. Similarly, our dreams ignite life within us, compelling us to step out in faith and embrace the adventure of life.
Consider a recent college graduate who dreams of starting a nonprofit organization to empower underprivileged youth. Or a young woman, a dreamer working her way up to a start-up in the city where things unknown are not so welcomed and yes she is a woman in a not-so-woman cultured community. Despite facing doubts and obstacles, her vision drives her to take the first steps toward making a difference in the world.
Holding on to faith and trusting the process is what will get all of us to places we were made to dream of and thus achieve. So said someone, if you can dream it, you can achieve it. Believing in what is happening in the middle with all the setbacks and obstacles. If you can dream it, have faith in it, work on it, and hold on to it, yes you can achieve it. So, hold on to the promise, the vision and the dream, like Abrhams, it is for generations and nations.
Through Challenges
Along the journey called life, we encounter obstacles and setbacks that threaten our dreams. Yet, like Joseph, we can overcome them. Think of that young boy, happy with his dreams about power and places and positions and authority and all the joy he had sharing with his family. Only that, the people He shared with were the same people who betrayed him working as a path to fulfilling his destiny (Genesis 37-50).
We could argue there in the case of Joseph, in our being human it is not good to share our dreams goals and visions with people. But, it is in people, for the people and through people we achieve what we achieve. We dream for others, we achieve for others and we carry visions that will help others. And it is in these others that we receive help to become who we are called to be. Sometimes, well, most of the time, in a painful way.
Challenges & Forgiveness in Life
For as much as hatred forced Joseph’s brother to throw him into the dry well, it was through the same brother that Joseph lived and was sold. It was for the same brothers who are the sons of Israel, tribes of Israel for which David and thus Jesus was born Joseph was sent to Egypt.
Scenario: Picture a small business owner facing financial difficulties and doubts about the future. Through prayer and reflection, she holds onto her vision of creating a thriving enterprise that serves her community. She seeks help from all the people she can, faced with rejection for a time then acceptance she revive the business stronger and wiser than before. With perseverance and faith, she lives and works through the challenges and eventually witnessing the fulfilment of her dreams. What to do with the rejection.
Our visions can sustain us through the darkest of times. Joseph’s unwavering belief in God’s plan enabled him to rise from the depths of despair to become a source of hope and redemption. And after everything he went through, it was the goodness of God flowing through him that forgiveness was found in him for his brothers.
With challenges come lessons. Patience. Forgiveness. Perseverance. Trust. Faith. Are some of them.
What are you learning in your journey right now?
Embracing God’s Guidance
In the quiet moments, in moments of reflection and prayer, God speaks to us. Through visions, dreams and yes He speaks. His voice.
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
Elijah simply reminds and teaches us that, there is so much power in and around God. There is power, there is glory and mightness. But, it is through it all, in His gentleness, that He speaks. And you will know when He does for He is God, our maker, LIFE.
I have just realised now that, Elijah didn’t run when all earth was shaking and rocks breaking. Elijah just stood there in the cave. He believed. He was waiting for God to speak. But, as believers like Elijah, how many times are we so off with our lives? Not standing still before God even for a minute? I am one of those people myself. Most of the time I just say all I have to and off I go. It is now that I am reminded. I need to learn and we all need to cultivate LISTENING through His Spirit.
Life is New Daily (Did you know that?)
The prophet Isaiah reminds us, “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” (Isaiah 43:19, NLT). How busy and occupied, how destructed are we not to see? Our willingness to listen and discern God’s voice can lead us to unexpected opportunities and blessings.
Elijah, thinking he was alone wished to die. He eats the food brought by angels and lies down praying to die. It is on this mountain God gives him a new mission on whom to anoint. It is also here, that He encourages him that he is not alone.
Imagine a young couple praying for wisdom as they make important decisions about their future. Through a series of dreams and divine assurances, they sense a calling to pursue overseas mission work. They are called to impact lives and spread hope in distant lands. But a year later, spent all they had fid themselves wondering if God really called them for this.
In this life always remember and let’s remind each other daily that, we are not alone. And as long as the Spirit of God is in us, we are on earth. And God has more people than we know. Also, through His Holy Spirit God is raising people to help us in the journey and empowering us to be of help to others. Let’s live a selfless life of faith and open eyes and ears. For God is doing something NEW in each new day.
Celebrate Your Journey Daily
As we journey in this life we discover that there is true fulfilment of our dreams. But this fulfilment lies not merely in reaching a destination but in embracing the journey itself. The Apostle Paul reminds us, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). It is in love, faith and trust, that our dreams and visions propel us forward, inspiring us to live with purpose and passion.
2 Timothy 2:4 says No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. This is a reminder that as a Christian, as a believer, one living pressing towards the prize, celebrate each day. It is an opportunity to get closer to the prize and a reminder that the journey is not over yet.
Imagine an elderly couple reflecting on a lifetime of shared dreams and adventures. Despite the challenges and hardships they faced, their unwavering commitment to each other and to God’s calling enriched their lives and left a legacy of love and faith for generations to come. And while they look behind all the faithfulness of God through their lives, they stand obediently to what is and what is coming. For it is not only about themselves but those behind them as well.
Journeying through Life & the Promised Land
“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” – Isaiah 30:21 (ESV) Know that in it all, in this journey, God is with us and for us.
Between birth and death, life is promised. In this journey of life, there is discovery, transformation, and divine encounters. Let’s learn and embrace our dreams and visions, hope and faith in what we have heard Him speak. And, let’s navigate life’s course with courage, faith, and unwavering trust in the One who leads us onward. In it all, hold on to the promise and assurance in Mathew 19.
| Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? | Phi 3:8, Luk 15:29, 1Co 1:29, Mar 2:14 |
| And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. | Rev 3:21, Mat 25:31, Mat 20:21, Luk 22:28-30 |
| And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting life. | Luk 18:29-30, Luk 14:26, Phi 3:8, Mat 16:25 |
| But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first |
Always, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” – Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Live. Live with the assurance that He who formed you in your mother’s womb has a good plan for you. So, let your dreams and visions be your boundary.
Discover more from Yours, Karah
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