A million times over, I would choose to be floating on water rather than down in it. I get cold easily and unless it’s above 95 outside, I don’t relish getting wet. That’s why paddleboarding is right up my alley. It allows me to be in the water without really being in it. In other words, I’m set up to enjoy all the ocean has to offer – sea breezes, salty air, ocean wildlife – but I stay dry.
Until I, ya know, fall off.
When we lived in Hawaii I couldn’t get enough paddleboarding. But there were three things I had to do so I could successfully stay afloat: point the narrow end of the board in front and hold the paddle correctly, engage my core while keeping legs apart with knees bent, and focus on the horizon. When I did all these, it was easy to stay upright. Oh, the freedom and fun I had sailing across the ocean! That is, until I would get caught up watching turtles or fish in the crystal blue depths beneath me. When I did this for too long, down in the water I fell.
I do the same thing when I forget the point of my God-sized dreams.
I know how to maneuver the mechanics of my dream and study quality materials that encourage and edify my creativity. I don’t have a problem keeping an appropriate posture for work, although there is always room for improvement. But I do struggle with keeping my eyes focused on the goal of any dream God places in my heart: to fulfill His purposes through me and therefore bring me closer to Him.
Because like fish and turtles in the sea, there’s a whole lotta tempting distractions to get lost in under my feet.
My own plans.
Comparisons.
Impatience.
It’s a struggle and too often I fall.
But when I keep my eyes on the Son, distractions fade. I remember that if God places dreams in my heart, He gets to say how they come to fruition and what the road to them looks like. And good news for me: His way of doing things is undoubtedly the best. So I keep my eyes forward while my hands and heart move toward the pull and create. When this happens, I wobble less and am more steady, confident, and content.
And it’s only then when I sail strong towards the Horizon, my dreams right alongside me.
Do you ever forget the point of your dreams? Like me, is it easy for you to get sidetracked? What gives your dreams oxygen so they can sail with you?
The world’s most high flyin’ cheerleader Holley Gerth writes that we all have heart-longings put in motion by our Creator. Trouble is, we may not be able to name the dream. For the next few months, Holley will be helping women change this, to say “yes” to their own unique God-sized dream. Drop by her lovely place today and learn why you really do have a God-sized dream all your own, and how you can give it wings to fly {or wind to sail, as it were}.
How do you know what your dreams are? I mean, I’ve dreamed of being a doctor for years and years and that’s all I want to do…but is a “God-sized” dream a different creature altogether?
I don’t think it’s a different creature altogether. It’s really just another way of describing your purpose. And it’s not necessarily big or grand, but what fits your own life and heart. For example, a couple days ago I was in such a mood, it seemed a God-sized dream for me to make it through the day without snapping at all those living under my roof. Heh.
Your dreams of being a doctor sound like they fit perfectly with a God-sized dream! What do *you* think?
Oh…when you put it that way, it sounds a lot clearer to me. Medicine has always felt like my purpose, and I’m well on my way toward it; I start med school in August 🙂
Amazing, Sonika. Congrats!
What an awesome analogy!
What do you say we pack up and go do some paddle boarding on Maui? I think we could get hooked up with a place to stay…haha!
Love you, friend. You are a wonderful encourager!
Girl, I’m so THERE.
Adore you. xo
OH my, did I need this. Thank you Kristen. (Paddle boarding seems like fun but I don’t think I’d be brave enough!)
Trust me: if I could do it, then so could you.
And thank *you* Christine…
It is so easy to get sidetracked. But I think the good God news for us all is if God is in it and we’re willing…God-sized dreams will be fulfilled. I had lost track of my dream to write that were planted back when I was 21. But God kept me on a certain track that allowed me to return to my dreams recently. I had forgotten them, but He didn’t!!
Thanks so much, friend. I love you!!
I love the visual of your analogy. It is easy to become distracted and lose sight of our goal. Head up, loot to the horizon, stay afloat…
I think that I forget the point of my dreams and get easily distracted when my dreams tarry. Those times when there is so much time in between the conception of the dream and the birth of it throw me off! Seeking God and my friends speaking purpose and life over me most definitely give my dreams oxygen!