Have you ever felt like God was asking you to do something so big that it scared you? You know, something that was so far beyond your own ability that you couldn't begin to imagine you being the one to make it happen. This something is something you can actually imagine, see in your head, capture a picture of how it would function, but have no idea how to make it happen. This idea, image, or ideal is just too big to break into pieces and figure out how to get from ground zero to the big picture. Have you ever had this kind of dream or vision?
This is the kind of vision I believe God specializes in. I believe God gives Christ-followers some pretty amazing dreams and visions on a regular basis. The problem is that most people dismiss them as impossibilities and silly daydreams. Most of the people who are experiencing these visions and dreams do not know what to do with them. The sheer magnitude of the vision or dream blows their mind. Some may file the dream or vision away in the back of their mind and wonder if it is for a later day. Others may entertain the notion of attempting to follow after the vision only to be discouraged and lay it aside. Regardless of their reaction there are people to whom God is giving visions and dreams.
The amazing thing about this reality comes when the dream or vision falls on someone with the courage and perseverance to see it through. There are a rare few who will take the vision that God has given them and intentionally and faithfully live into that vision with all diligence. These are the people that fight off the turning in their stomach. These are the people who walk right through the aches and pains of living into a vision that no one but he or she understands. These Christ-followers have said I will even when everybody else says no way. I wonder what kind of Christ-follower you are today.
Are you the type of Christ-follower who will live into the visions and dreams that God has given you? Will you charge the hill with the hope and faith that God just may go with you? Are you willing to take the risks and absorb the hits that a doubting world will throw your way? Can you pursue the vision God has given you even after you have carefully calculated the costs? How far are you willing to go in order to follow after the vision that God has given you for your life? To all of these I pray that the answer to all of these is "all the way!"
I guess I am wrestling with this question in the light of the dreams and visions God has given me. I have seen the big picture and I am a little more than overwhelmed by the journey it will take to get there. Of course, this should not be anything new to me. As I felt God's call to be an ordained pastor in The United Methodist Church I was overwhelmed and ran. As I came to grips with the fact that God's vision for my life was not going to go away I was able to turn and embrace the vision. I was able to not only embrace the vision, but to run full steam ahead into the vision and eventually see it become a reality. What seemed impossible 22 years ago has been the most exciting journey of my life.
So I close with asking you and myself, "Will you follow with radical obedience the dreams and visions God has given you for your life?" Will you count the cost and move foreward anyway so that God can be honored through your radical obedience? It is my prayer for you and me that we will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to follow with radical obedience the vision that God has placed in our hearts and minds. May this be our One Holy Passion!
