We all have dreams and desires. Some want to start a business; some want to travel; some want to work with kids; some want to work with computers; some want to write a book.
But where do those dreams and desires come from?
Are they part of a selfish nature and need to be reigned in, or altogether turned away from?
Or, are they given to us by God, part of a divine purpose for our lives?
Our belief about where our dreams and desires come from will dramatically impact what we actually do with them.
If we see them as a selfish or negative thing, we’re always going to feel guilty and torn.
If we see them as a gift given to us from God, part of our divine purpose, we’ll feel freedom, perhaps even a responsibility to put them to good use.
Growing up, I think I had a funny mix of the two. For whatever reason, I felt like it was OK to follow my dreams and desires to a certain extent, but then I needed to stop and leave it at that. Any more and I would feel I was too self-centered and needed to come back to “reality.”
I see it differently now.
I believe we’ve all been put here with a specific purpose in mind. And the way we discover what that purpose is, is by following what we enjoy and the things that come naturally to us. We discover our purpose by pursuing our dreams and desires.
And of course, we need to be responsible and smart about it. But we’re going to stay frustrated and unfilled in life unless we’re doing something to work towards those dreams that have been placed within us.
Our belief about where our dreams and desires come from matters. Are they bad and part of a selfish nature? Or, are they a gift given to us by God, part of a divine purpose for our lives? The trajectory of our life will be dramatically impacted by which of those two questions we agree with.
Absolutely Michael – I do believe that our dreams and desires are gifts from God – He does say He will give us the desires of our hearts after all. I have struggled in the past with feeling it was wrong to fully pursue them too. I think that has more to do with upbringing than anything else. Thankfully we have learned the truth!
Ann, I think you’re right on with our upbringing having a lot to do with it. Thanks for the input!
So true. I agree with Ann in that sometimes I think it goes back to our upbringing. I know I feel I must apologize if I’m following my dream or desire and having success. Hopefully I’ve taught my children better. I don’t want them to feel that way. So proud of you and Claudia! I love the cover of her book. Hope she has great success in getting it out there.
Thanks for your encouragement, Donna! Claudia designed the cover herself and did a great job at it!
I like how you pointed out that you feel you must apologize, especially if you’re having success. Success is a funny thing. I think it’s easy to feel it’s OK, as long as it’s a little side thing. But when something starts to gain traction, funny things can happen in our heads!
This really is so true. I think I’ve lost some of that over the years. This was a beautiful reminder to remember my “why.” Never lose your “why.”
Well said, Mike. Love it!
if God wants to follow him but we are following are dreams than what happend
please give the answer what we will do