On Dreams and Purpose and Letting Go

God placed a dream in my heart of being a writer. And maybe even a speaker. I'm still coming to terms with that one. It's an argument we have quite often actually. The writing part I dealt with a year ago. I had been secretly writing a book for a couple of years and finally "came out of the closet" if you will, by launching this blog and admitting I'm a writer.

It's a scary thing, you know? Admitting you have a dream. Because we all know that dreamers are weirdos. They're living in la-la land, thinking they can actually change the world. But, we're wrong. The dreamers and the weirdos ARE the ones who DO change the world. One book at a time, one sale at a time, person at a time.

Here's what I've learned about following your dreams. When you follow your dreams and your passions, they pave the way to your purpose. {Tweet That} Your purpose is far greater than you could ever dream. Your dream is just what takes you there.{Tweet That}

Every single one of us were made on purpose and for a purpose. I know that phrase gets tossed around a lot, but it's true. And there is a very real enemy that would love to keep you from fulfilling that purpose. He'll use you, your insecurities, your failures, your shortcomings, and more to put you smack in the way of yourself. Only you have the power to address what that is and remove it.

While I was stretched thin and burning the candle at both ends trying to work on my dreams, God put The Simplicity Project in my heart. I needed to create margin in my life so that I could do what He had called me to do. Writing and publishing The Simplicity Project is a dream come true.  But it isn't my only purpose in life. The most exciting part is that I get to see other people use that book as a tool to create margin in their lives and start to follow their dreams.

Often, as we start to dream and follow that path, we see others who are already where we want to be. I struggled with this {BIG TIME} this last weekend. There were people working the stage like nobody's business. And I thought to myself, why can't I be like that? Why can't I get up there and share my story that well. And the truth is, I can. Just not yet. I have to practice. I have to have patience. I have to follow my dreams and passions and pursue my purpose at the pace God has set before me. If I've got my eyes on someone else's path, they're not on mine. If I'm trying to follow someone else's path, I'm going to miss the people God places in mine. {Tweet That}

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Ephesians 3:20 MSG

And, once we learn to dream again, we have to let go. These precious dreams that God has given us. If we hold them too tightly, God can't use them the way He wants. I was smacked in the face with this one this morning. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen my post on giving it all to God. I've been so caught up in marketing my book. I've been wondering if I've done things wrong or should have done something different. Living in the past. I've been worried about how it will sell and if it will make it. Living in the future. All God wants is for me to live in the present. Focusing on Him. Noticing who He puts in my path, each and every day. Because in the end, it's really just about the people.

Are you ready to allow yourself to dream? It's time. It will take you to your purpose and you will not regret it.

What's that one dream you need to pursue? The one God placed in your heart, even as a child?