Last night I had a few moments out on our patio to just sit under the stars and reflect on the things that matter most. I had put Ruby to sleep, Janny was out at a meeting with our Nieucommunities tribe and I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the life I have the honor of living each day.
As I sat and reflected I began to thank God for having a dream for my life and for all his people. In the past week I have had the opportunity to share our heart with our family and friends at Salinas Valley Community Church, I have had the opportunity to write about stuff that I really care about and I have had the chance to live and dream among a community of Jesus followers that are committed to living life in the way of Jesus.
Living in a society that is often consumed by what is ahead of us – or what we need to do to achieve success – I am stuck by the need to simply celebrate what God is already actively doing in and among his people. In my travels I have consistently encountered people that are simply trying to survive to their next meal or next day. There is so much pain and hurt in this world that God is ceaselessly pursuing with his dreams for reconciliation and restoration.
Every once in a while it is important to simply stop and celebrate what God is doing in and through us. Personally, I am thankful to more and more discern God’s heart for my life and begin to step into it. There are so many distractions that can set us off track, but when we begin to taste and experience his dream for humanity, we must rejoice.
I rejoice.
I have a beautiful family. I’m using most every moment of everyday to pursue what I know I have been created for and I celebrate the opportunity I have to step into it.
I don’t always faithfully step into this Dream God has for me, but largely I have been able to see and experience it. I am thankful.
In a world where many don’t have the opportunity, time or capacity to dream and experiment, it would be a shame to squander these opportunities. In fact, I think it would be unfaithful.
May we more and more tap into the Dream God has for us, begin to faithfully step into it and celebrate what God is doing. May we be a people that are marked by the hope of resurrection for the sake of extending that hope to the ends of the earth.