Dare to Dream

 I have come to the conclusion that I will never find total comfort and security in this world. I mean I have always known that, but at times I still find myself striving to be comforted and secure while I am here. I have said this before and will say it again because it is straight out of the Word of God. " This world is not my home, I'm just a stranger in this land and I'm just passing through," I don't belong here and I know it. So why do I at times try to make it a comfortable/secure dwelling place for myself?

The Bible says that we are to be content in whatever state we are in. Even though life can be tough and bring a lot of discomfort as well as disappointments, I have concluded that the one who has the tenacity to remain content despite the circumstances is someone who has realized that this world is not their home and they are only a stranger passing through they are moving onward because they see the finish line, every now and again they will get a glimpse of their home which awaits them up ahead. They like others desire comfort and security as well, but they know it is not here but just ahead of them, thus they continue moving forward and homeward. Their eyes are fixed on the prize and they have set their face like a flint. Come what may, it doesn't matter to them for they know they will reach their true home one day and this is their mission and goal in life.

They have realized that this world is not meant for them to settle down in and get all comfy. You won't ever here them say: "aww.. this is the life, I have attained and it doesn't get any better than this. I got my nice house, food galore, all the luxuries of life, all the toys a person would ever want, now I am just going to settle in and relax and enjoy this world and all the stuff it has to offer." Nope.. you will never hear them say that, because they know that what this world has to offer is nothing compared to their eternal home. They will never settle and be limited to the meager livings and riches of this world. They know that what the world has offered is nothing in comparison to what God is offering them. God has called them to the higher things. He has dared them to dream and to dream bigger and for the greater blessing! And that is exactly what they intend to do for they know that "Eye has not seen and ear has not heard neither has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for them that love Him." They haven't seen the total picture yet but every now and again they get a glimpse!

This world is lacking greatly it is a deficient existence compared to our heavenly home that awaits us. I will not settle for second best and I hope you don't either. Don't be like the rich man in the Bible who said to himself in Luke 12:19-21: 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

God is daring you to dream beyond this world and begin moving onward and forward, the journey might seem long but don't give up for you will reach your destination and the reward will be worth it!

And when He SAW their faith

Have you ever thought that tenacity, strategy, determination, ingenuity, thinking outside the box could be characteristics that are very appealing to the Lord. In fact could this be so pleasing to the Lord that He could possibly say, "My child since you have shown me your heart of tenacity and ingenuity in thinking outside of the box and beyond the normal/natural scope of things and have shown a sense of determination I am going to grant to you the desires of your heart."

I was thinking about this the other day after reading about Christ Jesus healing the man with palsy in (Luke 5:18-25) And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.

Did You catch that? When Jesus saw their faith He said, "Man, thy sins are forgiven thee." The men showed their trust and confidence in Jesus by being ingeniously determined to get their friend to Him. The men did what they felt they had to do for their friend and then Jesus took it from there.

Have you heard the old saying, "There's more than one way to skin a cat?" No offense cat lovers, I love cats myself, so don't get your panties in a tuft. These men were determined to come up with a strategic way to get their friend to Jesus so that he could be healed and they were dramatically successful in their conquest. Because of their faith and ingenuity, this man so far, has been spiritually healed (his sins have been forgiven).

We must go a little further because this man's physical healing is about to be granted by Christ Jesus as well. And the Scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?
But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up they couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that wheron he lay, and departed to his house, glorifying God.

Isn't Jesus cool? The Son of man (Jesus Christ) has not only the power upon earth to forgive sins He also has the power upon earth to heal the body. I can just see the Scribes and Pharisees now, standing there with their mouths agape in total amazement and perplexity.

This account in scripture was a reminder to me by the Holy Spirit that we can possibly stop short of seeing the physical miracles in our lives because we limit our vision of hope. We can look at circumstances as hopeless and get tunnel vision which then causes us to lose our faith/determination and thus we can overlook the one possible way that will birth a miracle. The men had hopes that if they couldn't get their friend through the crowd then they would go over the crowd. They were tenacious, determined and strategic. I can just see Jesus smiling as if to say, "That's my boys! and I am proud of them for showing determination in their quest to get to me and having confidence in me."

If it seems as though it is impossible to get to Jesus because circumstances are blocking the way ,then we must look up and go over them. This is where Faith comes in. Circumstances should never stop us from our pursuit and appointed destination which is Jesus. Jesus is our Hope and He is our Answer both now and forever!

May we all be honest with ourselves and ask this question, "Am I looking up and going over the circumstances in life and trusting in Jesus or have I stopped short by looking at the overwhelming crowds of circumstances in front of me and think that all is hopeless?