Should We Pursue Our Dreams?
Can you imagine being a world-famous runner? Eric Liddell was a follower of Jesus who was also a famous runner, and he left that career in order to obey God’s calling to preach the gospel in China. And it was totally worth it. 1 Corinthians 9:25 says, “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
Life coaches often talk about pursuing our dreams. I’ve listened to many life-coaching videos and webinars in order to find strategies that I can apply as I’m becoming more and more efficient in serving God, because my plate is full when it comes to family and ministry responsibilities, but the way I apply things is very different from what life coaches often teach. It’s hard to imagine finding satisfaction in temporal goals that have no eternal impact. While temporal goals can be accomplished for the purpose of loving God and others, we should ask what we are really aiming for, to make sure that nothing is lost. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 shows that our works will either burn up or endure. Anything done for Jesus will endure.
When we read God’s Word, we can see what He values; and if He values something, that makes it worth living for.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you... ." Matthew 28:19-20
“For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. …And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:35-36, 40
“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” Isaiah 58:6-7
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." James 1:27
You might not be in full-time ministry, but you can still give toward eternal causes.
What about when we are unable to take any outward action? I have a passion to raise money for abandoned children that are sold into trafficking, in order for them to rescued and put in Christian homes where they are not only safe but also taught about Jesus, so they are cared for physically and spiritually. That is a goal that has eternal results; but even then, if God chooses to raise up someone else who can advocate for them, I’m content with that as long as I’m in His will.
Sometimes people put the cart before the horse and try to do ministry apart from Jesus, and even get impatient with Him. We don’t always understand His ways, but He does ultimately care for people more than we do, because He is the source of love. How can we even have any understanding of love apart from the truth He has revealed to us and the love He has placed in our hearts? So we can trust Him in that, and we can believe that He is honoring our good desires.
Most of all, focus on your relationship with God and be willing to serve Him in whatever way He calls you. Pursue His will above everything else.
“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:2)