Living the Dream: 4 Questions Every Dream Should Answer预览

DAY 1:

THE CALL

We are much more likely to answer the phone when we know where the call originates. We are more eager to have the conversation when we know who’s on the other end of the line and when that person has earned trust and credibility. If you’re like me, you screen the ‘caller ID unavailable’ or ‘caller unknown’ phone call because you don’t know if it’s a scam. However, when I see the name appear as someone I genuinely like speaking to, I approach the situation differently. I answer the phone with a healthy anticipation of an encouraging or stimulating conversation. Similarly, when we have a gut feeling about a calling or are convinced the Holy Spirit is leading us in a certain direction, we are more likely to be receptively curious with excitement.

We don’t always need to know the destination before we embark on the journey. My Grandmother and I would hop in her car on a Sunday afternoon and just start driving with no exact address in mind. She had a direction and a general idea of where she wanted to go but no exact destination. That was part of the mysterious exhilaration I enjoyed. God’s calling will rarely reveal the finished result or the completed image of His masterpiece. Luckily for us, we aren’t required to have all the answers and immediately feel an abundance of confidence. All pursuit is met with moments of fear and even apprehension. Those should not paralyze us or even impede our progress. God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. That should be the reassurance we all need to take the first steps.

As God begins to reveal a dream and a direction by which to travel to pursue that dream, our only requirement for obedience is to not only consult with like-minded believers throughout the process (Proverbs 15:22) but also to ask ourselves a few basic questions. This Bible plan will be unpacking the four questions every dream should answer. First, a dream should be able to answer the question, ‘Does it ignite your passion?’. If there’s no fire, we won’t finish. Secondly, can it affirmatively answer, ‘Does it utilize your gifts?’ Being good at something usually guarantees longevity. Thirdly, ‘Does your dream serve God’s Kingdom?’. In some way, it should fulfill a need and provide a solution. Finally, can the dream definitively answer ‘yes’ to the question of ‘does God get the glory?’. If you can positively answer these questions, most likely, your dream is more than just indigestion from bad pizza. Most likely, you are being called into a purpose, mission, and destiny that is beyond your strength and capability. Most certainly, God is calling you out and up into something generationally impactful for His people, with eternal implications. You might be called for a time such as this, so let’s find out what dream is meant for you.

SURVEY SAYS:

In an article from BetterUp.com in June of 2022, the author identifies 16 practical ways to identify a

calling.

1. Listen to your internal compass

2. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone

3. Pay attention to your body and how you feel when trying new things

4. Try learning new things on your own

5. Take note of your dreams and things that seem like coincidences

6. Express yourself however feels right

7. Reflect on the things you loved as a kid

8. Prioritize wellness in your life

9. Limit distractions

10. Unplug from social media

11. Journal to record your thoughts and notice patterns

12. Spend time outdoors

13. Follow your values

14. Think about your transferrable skills

15. Be patient and understand it’s a journey

16. Listen to the thoughts or advice of others if they see your calling before you do