Let's dare to dream
By Grant Spong
Every great enterprise ever built, every great building, every great endeavor, existed first in the heart of an individual before it existed in reality. Nothing exists until we dare to dream.
I dream of a church where God is worshiped and lives are changed. Where people love each other and come to bless the Lord and each other, and are so turned on that they readily invite their friends.
I dream of a Worldwide Church of God conducting services at various times of the week that will reach new disciples. I dream of a church that places the Great Commandments and the Great Commission ahead of tradition.
I dream of the people of God telling the good news because they are excited and happy to tell about it. I dream of a church fulfilling the purpose for its existence--being fishers of men.
I believe the human heart hungers for what only the Christian gospel can provide.
Matthew 9:27-29 says: "When [Jesus] entered the house, [two] blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, `Do you believe that I am able to do this?' They said to him, `Yes, Lord.' Then he touched their eyes and said, `According to your faith let it be done to you.' "
It seems that it all depended on whether they believed.
Is God also saying to his people in the Worldwide Church of God, as he said to those two blind men, "It will be done for you according to your faith."
Daring to dream is a faith issue. Dreams are about seeing what is not yet in existence and believing it can become reality.
Is God limited by our faith? No, his power is limitless. Then why does he allow his great power to be limited to our faith? Is it because he wants us to learn to live by faith?
Why did Jesus not do many miracles in his hometown? It was "because of their lack of faith" (Matthew 13:58). The Bible does not say he could not do many miracles, just that he did not.
Can we dare to dream great dreams for our fellowship? God will accomplish his work with or without us. Whether he uses us, depends on whether he finds us to be people of faith.
Romans 10 says faith comes by hearing the word of God. It's no use being a wonderful servant of the Lord, if you are not returning to the source on a regular basis for a refill.
We read our spiritual fuel gauge by measuring little things. How is your attitude tested today in small everyday trials? Are you becoming irritable, critical, moody, negative? These are indicators that you need some quiet time alone with God.
Associate with positive people. Don't let yourself be dragged down by others. If you can't get them out of negativism, get out before you are dragged down with them.
If we fail, there is grace. God knows we can't work it out on our own.
We need to fill our tanks regularly with encouragement like this: " `For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, `plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' " (Jeremiah 29:11).
Contrary to how we sometimes feel, God is on our side working things out.
And as the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:13: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
For the WCG to join God where he is, in making disciples, success begins with a dream. Nothing will happen until we dare to dream.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998