Living On Purposeنموونە

Day One: Your Dream Is From God 

As children, most of us were raised with the mindset to seek to please those about and around us. It may have been through small things like doing our coursework at school, chores at home or following the advice of others. Over time, these patterns of pleasing can create grooves in our thinking that can become easily confused with our own desires. 

Why does that matter? 

Because knowing that helps you to realize that not every thought, desire, wish or burden you have is YOUR dream. Sometimes what we think is our “dream” is simply something we feel we ought to do based on what has been spoken to us or even what is expected of us.

Going through these steps of identifying YOUR strengths, desires, motivations, fears, vision and more will help you to sort through the competing voices all claiming to be your “dream” so that you can live on purpose - YOUR purpose.

Your dream is unique to YOU. 

It is not what someone else wants you to do. It is not what your parents want you to do. It is not what your spouse, friends or church wants you to do. Your dream is what God has planted inside of you as a seed. It is what God Himself wants you to do. 

God’s Dream IN You

Answer and reflect on these questions.

1. Read Psalm 138:8 “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.Do not forsake the work of your hands.” 

Based on this passage, who has a purpose for you? 

2.  In what ways can you distinguish between the purpose(s) others have put on you or given to you from God’s purpose for you? 

3. Spend some time praying and asking God to give you insight between the “expectations of others” and “His purpose for you.” 

4. Make a chart of two columns. In one column, list the things you thought may be “dreams” that are rooted in other people’s expectations of you. In the other column, list the things you thought may be “dreams” that are rooted in God