I was asked straight to my face this afternoon, "What is your dream?
What is your purpose? What do you want to do with your life that you
can't do right now? How do you see yourself? What do you see yourself
doing with your life? Think big. I want you to think BIG. Imagine that
there are no limits on your dream. So, what is your dream? Think about
it and tell me when you come back to see me tomorrow."
Wow! I've
sat in many church sermons about dreams. I've been to seminars and
conferences where the speakers talked about dreams, achieving goals,
etc. But, I've never had someone so passionately ask me straight to my
face what my dream is, and what I feel my purpose in life is. When he
was done asking me, I knew immediately what my dream is. Actually, what
my dreamS are. It's not just one dream. It's three.
With
everything that's happened in my life over the last oh, say, 21 years, I
haven't thought much about my dreams. They kind of died the day I
fractured my foot on Chuckanut Ridge in Bellingham, WA. (I know, funny
name, beautiful place. But, brutal hike.) Actually, it was about a week
later when I realized there really was a problem with my foot and I
needed to get it checked out.
What should have been a quick 4-6
week recovery turned into a life-long, chronic disease that has robbed
me of so much. However, had I not gone through all that I've gone
through because of this disease, the dreams I have in my heart today
wouldn't be there. Of that I am certain. I was selfish. I was heading
down a road I shouldn't have been on. My dreams at the time of my injury
were all about me, myself, and I. Yuck. Had I not fractured my foot, I
know for a fact my life would not be what it is today. I actually
shudder to think of where I could have ended up if I hadn't been
protected by pain.
What? Did I really just say I was protected by
pain? Yes! This past summer, I heard a preacher say the following
statement, and it changed my life. Ready for it? Here it is... "What God
doesn't protect you from, He'll preserve you in." God could have
prevented me from fracturing my foot. He could have protected me from
that tiny injury turning into a chronic disease called Complex Regional
Pain Syndrome. However, he has allowed me to experience serious pain and
suffering, all the while preserving me in the process.
He has
preserved me. He has helped me keep my heart soft when I could have very
easily become a miserable and bitter person. He has allowed me to keep
my joy, even when I thought I'd never feel joy again. He has allowed me
to help other people with this disease, and with other chronic pain
issues as well. He has taught me how to have deep compassion for people
who are hurting. But, only because I know what deep hurt feels like.
So, in one afternoon, my dreams have been re-ignited. My focus is
clear. My mission is before me and I am going to take it on head first.
I'm getting my dreams back! I'm taking my identity back! As the amazing
Bethel worship song says, "I am no longer a slave to fear. I am a child
of God..." So, here goes the jump. I'm on the edge and my parachute is
ready. Watch out world, 'cuz I'm about to leap. Now, worship with me... #trustmuscles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8TkUMJtK5k
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