Dreams are the seeds of possibility that God plants in our hearts, guiding us toward His purpose for our lives. As a young Christian, you possess a unique opportunity to align your aspirations with your faith, allowing your dreams to be a reflection of God's plan for you. By combining the power of faith and ambition, you can journey toward your goals with a sense of purpose, determination, and hope. You can also read about achieving your dreams as a young Christian here. However, in this article, we will explore how to dream big as a young Christian, drawing strength from your relationship with God to help you fulfill your God-given dreams.
What is a Dream?
A dream is a cherished aspiration or goal that an individual envisions for their life. Dreams can encompass various aspects of life, such as personal achievements, career success, relationships, personal growth, and more. They provide individuals with a sense of purpose and motivation, encouraging them to thrive and work towards making those visions a reality. Ultimately, dreams play a vital role in shaping an individual's identity, direction, and sense of fulfillment. They serve as a guiding light that influences the choices they make and the paths they take in life.
Proverbs 29:18- "Where there is no vision, the people perish..."
From a Christian perspective, a dream is a vision you have for your life. It is important that you derive your vision from God's plans and purposes for your life. It is paramount that every individual has a vision in their life. Without a dream or a vision, life becomes dull, monotonous, and meaningless.
Seek God's Guidance for Your Vision
The Bible underscores the importance of living a purposeful life. In Jeremiah 29:11, God's promise to the Israelites reveals His intentions for them:
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
This verse underscores the idea that God has a purpose and vision for each individual.
Purpose serves as the compass that gives direction and meaning to our lives. It is the driving force behind our actions, decisions, and aspirations. However, discovering this purpose is not always an easy task. The foundation of dreaming big as a young Christian begins with seeking God's guidance. Seek God and spend time in prayer and reflection, asking God to reveal His plan for your life. Invite Him to align your dreams with His purpose, so that your ambitions are rooted in faith and righteousness.
Through prayerful meditation, you can gain clarity about your strengths, passions, and the areas where God is calling you to make a difference. Seeking Christ's guidance to reveal one's purpose and vision is a transformative journey that transcends the individual. You become more and more dependent and reliant on God as He takes you deeper and deeper into your quest for your purpose in life.
A central theme in the Bible is the concept of finding one's identity in Christ. In Galatians 2:20, the apostle Paul states,
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
This passage underscores the transformation that occurs when an individual aligns their life with Christ's teachings. It highlights the idea that purpose and vision are discovered in living a life that reflects Christ's character.
Walk By Faith
The journey of seeking purpose and vision is often a journey of faith. This faith is not blind; it's rooted in a deep conviction that there's a purpose behind every twist and turn of life's path. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." This faith-driven approach encourages us to trust in God's plan, even when the path ahead seems unclear. By walking in faith, you can embrace your purpose and vision with conviction, knowing that God is orchestrating your journey. Trusting God's plan necessitates letting go of our own desires and yielding to a purpose that transcends our understanding. It's an act of surrendering our hopes, dreams, and ambitions to God. This surrender, far from limiting us, liberates us from the burden of trying to control every aspect of our lives. It opens the door to discovering a plan that's more intricate and fulfilling than anything we could devise on our own.
Walking by faith requires patience – the art of waiting with hope. Youth are often eager to see instant results, but God's plan unfolds in His perfect time. Just as a seed needs time to grow into a tree, our dreams and aspirations may take time to flourish. Patience during waiting periods is a testament to our trust in God's timing and a reminder that the best things in life are worth waiting for. Throughout history, countless stories of faith serve as beacons of inspiration. From David facing Goliath to Esther's bravery, these narratives showcase individuals who trusted God's plan even in the face of adversity. These stories remind us that our challenges can become stepping stones to greatness when we walk by faith. Let your dreams be fueled by faith, trusting that God's promises are true and that He will equip you for the journey ahead. Keep in mind the words of Jesus in Matthew 17:20:
"If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Align Your Dreams with the Word of God
When dreaming big as a young Christian, it's essential to ensure that your aspirations align with biblical principles. Seek to glorify God in all that you do, and choose dreams that contribute positively to the world around you. Remember the words of Proverbs 16:3:
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."
By grounding your dreams in God's Word, you can find confidence in their righteousness and purpose. The Bible provides timeless truths and principles that can guide every aspect of your life, including your dreams and aspirations. By aligning your dreams with the Word of God, you ensure that your goals are built on a solid foundation of divine wisdom and truth. The Bible offers insights into God's character, desires, and purposes for humanity. When you immerse yourself in its teachings, you gain clarity on what God values and desires for your life. This clarity helps you discern whether your dreams are in line with His will or if they need adjustment.
The Word of God provides a clear ethical and moral framework by which to evaluate your dreams. Aligning your dreams with biblical principles ensures that your aspirations promote love, compassion, justice, integrity, service and respect for others. Self-centered dreams can lead to greed, pride, and disregard for others. By aligning your dreams with God's Word, you're reminded to consider the well-being of others and to prioritize serving and blessing those around you. Aligning your dreams with the Word of God requires an attitude of surrender and trust. You acknowledge that God's plan is higher and wiser than your own, and you trust that His ways are best, even if they differ from your initial aspirations.
Surround Yourself with Wise Dreamers
The company we keep plays an integral role in shaping our aspirations, attitudes, and accomplishments. Surrounding oneself with dreamers—individuals who possess ambitious goals, boundless creativity, and unwavering determination—can have a profound impact on personal growth and achievement. Dreamers possess a unique quality—they envision possibilities beyond what is readily apparent. By surrounding oneself with such individuals, one is immersed in an environment that encourages thinking beyond the ordinary. A culture of ambition emerges, where dreams are not only discussed but also nurtured into actionable plans.
In the presence of dreamers, inspiration flows freely. As individuals share their aspirations and ideas, they inspire each other to strive for excellence. Hearing about another's audacious dreams can trigger a sense of possibility and spark one's own creative impulses. Maintaining motivation is a challenge that everyone faces at some point. Surrounding oneself with dreamers can be a powerful antidote to complacency and stagnation. The enthusiasm and determination exhibited by fellow dreamers can serve as a source of motivation during moments of doubt or weariness. The shared pursuit of ambitious goals fosters an environment where individuals continually push themselves to strive for greatness. Seek mentors and friends who encourage your dreams and provide guidance along the way. Proverbs 13:20 reminds us,
"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm."
Overcome Doubts and Fears through God's Promises
Doubt and fear are common obstacles on the path to pursuing big dreams. However, as a young Christian, you have the advantage of leaning on God's promises. Life is a journey riddled with moments of doubt and fear that can cloud our vision, stifle our ambitions, and make our steps falter. Yet, in the midst of these challenges, there is a beacon of light that has the power to illuminate our path and fortify our spirit—the promises of God. The Bible is filled with verses that emphasize God's presence, protection, and guidance. For instance, Joshua 1:9 states,
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Meditate on these promises when doubt creeps in, and let them fortify your faith. When we anchor ourselves in God's promises, we are arming ourselves with a source of unparalleled strength. Psalm 27:1 boldly declares, "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" This proclamation encapsulates the essence of seeking refuge in God's promises. By aligning our thoughts and beliefs with the assurance that we are not alone and that God walks alongside us, we find the courage to face our doubts and fears head-on. Through faith, we rise above our doubts and fears, allowing them to become stepping stones toward a life of purpose, fulfillment, and unwavering hope.
Work Hard on Yourself
Dreams, like stars in the night sky, captivate our imagination and inspire us to reach for the extraordinary. Yet, while dreams provide the blueprint, it is the sweat of hard work and the honing of skills and talents that bring them to life. Dreams are the seeds of possibility, but they need the fertile ground of hard work to flourish. Without persistent effort, dreams remain stagnant ideals, never to materialize. Hard work propels us forward, transforms aspirations into actionable plans, and imbues dreams with the energy needed to overcome obstacles. It is the driving force that converts mere wishes into tangible realities.
Skills and talents are the tools that empower us to bridge the gap between dreams and actualization. When we invest time and effort into developing our abilities, we unlock doors that might otherwise have remained closed. The acquisition of knowledge, refinement of skills, and exploration of talents expand our capabilities, enabling us to tackle challenges with confidence and navigate the journey toward our dreams with competence. The journey of working diligently on skills and talents leaves behind a legacy of growth, impact, and inspiration. Others are drawn to individuals who exemplify dedication and excellence. By demonstrating the results of persistent effort, we inspire those around us to dream big and follow suit.
I would like to end this article with two quotes; one by me, and another by William Carey.
"Dreams give you hope; hope makes you fight for your dreams." - Joshua Samson
"Expect great things; attempt great things." - William Carey
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