“I have a dream.” Martin Luther King’s words still resonate, particularly as we honor him at this time of year.
We all have dreams, some small, some large, some humongous. But dreams are not just for the young. The dream I’m walking out now—the dream to write—was birthed when I was in my fifties. So we’re never too old to dream. The only thing that limits my dream is me.
But questions haunt writers, especially as we stare at blank screens with fingers poised and brain frozen or when we get that rejection letter that says “doesn’t fit our needs at this time.” The big question is: Is this dream from God or last night’s pizza?
Recently I came across an article that gave seven keys to answer the question is this dream from God. It’s by Evangelist Jerry Savelle in his magazine, Adventures in Faith (Winter 2012). I think they’ll be helpful in answering the question: Is this you God?
- If it captures your imagination and inspires and motivates you everyday of your life, then it is most likely a dream from God.
- If it seems impossible and you are unable to fulfill it on your own, then it is most likely a dream from God.
- If it seems as though it will never come to pass but deep down inside you’re unwilling to give up on it, then it is most likely a dream from God.
- If not everyone is as enthusiastic about it as you are, then most likely it is a dream from God.
- If you have experienced resistance, setbacks, difficulty and sometimes even frustration over it, then it is most likely a dream from God.
- If it seems to consume your thinking and even seems to get bigger and bigger on the inside of you, then it is most likely a dream from God.
- If it seems to define and shape your life, then it is most likely a dream from God.
Each of these keys set off fireworks of confirmation in me and I can approach 2012 with renewed and deeper confidence that I am in His plan for my life.
How about you? Do you have a dream? Do these keys help you see if your dream is from God?
Fireworks of confirmation are exploding all around me after reading this. Thank you, Henry. I can’t wait to see where your dream from God takes you next!
Thank you for the affirmation that my dream is from God.
Dorothy
Wow, Henry, thanks for sharing. With all the talk on the loop about calling vs. self and others talking about God’s direction in their writing, I wondered if this was just me or God. However, I hit all seven of those points.
I want a book published, yes, however, I have as much fun on my blog and I like non-fiction articles, so I will keep on trucking. And you will be hearing from me soon.
7 for 7–noit bad. Thanks Henry!
Great post, Henry!
This is just what I needed to read today. Thanks, Henry!
Thanks, Stephenia. When I read the magazine article, I knew He was speaking to me.
I can’t either. The dreams He gives just seem to get better and better.
Mark Sylvester said what I was thinking. 7 for 7. Thanks for offering the encouragement to us all. God bless.
My dream to write began when I’d wake up in the middle of the night with the strong urge to get up and write something down. The nudging of the Holy Spirit was stronger than my fears of rejection. I dabbled in poetry, wrote small lessons for Sunday school material for free, then enrolled in Christian Writers Guild where God opened doors for non-fiction short stories to be published. I stand amazed at God’s ability to use me in this way. Like you, Henry, I began in my fifties. I’m now working on my first novel. How exciting. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Loretta.
It is exciting to let God give us the desires of our hearts, to plant our dreams in us, and then see them fulfilled under his guiding hand and his grace and mercy.
I like this! Thank you.
Thank you, Karen. I appreciate your stopping by.