DAY THREE: Hopes and Dreams

by Leigh Cappillino

I’ve been singing in church as far back as I can remember. My mother was my choir teacher all the way up to my college years. Mom encouraged me at a very early age that I had a special gift for singing.

College gave me the confidence of what I wanted to do for the rest of my life—SING! I gained so much experience and appreciated all styles of music. Those years I was like a musical sponge. I immersed myself in music, traveling every weekend performing with a live band. This experience became the driving force of my hopes and dreams.      

My college years led to yet another leg of the journey when I joined the musical group Truth as a vocalist, through the encouragement and recommendation of my college ensemble director, Dr. Rick Brewer. My time in Truth eventually led to industry-wide relationships, not to mention the introduction to my husband!

New opportunities came from my time in Truth, which over time, amounted to four different singing groups, more than thirty albums recorded, traveling the globe, and who knows how many shows. I still pinch myself in amazement as I celebrate more than fifteen years with Point of Grace.

My hopes and dreams started as a young girl. Along the way, others like my mom and my ensemble director noticed and encouraged me toward the ways God had gifted me. I think this is a very important element when it comes to the hopes and dreams that we see in the hearts of others around us. Taking the time to notice and encourage others in their gifting can help them identify what God might be planning for their lives and give them the courage to pursue it.

Your hopes, dreams, and passions shouldn’t be your identity at the end of the day, but they shouldn’t be shunned either. Don’t underestimate the desires God has placed within you. Ask God to help define and refine them. Ask Him to help you let go of dreams that aren’t really good for you, and to take hold of dreams that are exactly what He’s calling you to. Ask Him to bring people into the process to encourage you and show you the way. Trust God with the dream you have, speak encouragement over the gifts He has given to others, and watch Him move in your life.

READ

Proverbs 16:3

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

PRAY 

Dear God, Thank you for the dreams and desires you’ve placed on my heart. Continue to reveal to me the path that you want me to travel and help me be a good steward of the gifts you’ve given me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.