As you read enjoy streaming Wherever You Go from the album Open Spaces (or listen on your favorite music service).
How are you Dreaming Big for 2020?
I want to Dream Big for this year. How about you? I want to be confident instead of hesitant, to have faith instead of unbelief, and to have an abundance mentality instead of scarcity mindset. Below are three actions I plan to practice while Dreaming Big for 2020.
1. Live Fully in the Present. Remember the past. Be mindful of the future. Live in the present. These wise words from a friend have been part of my Dreaming Big for a long time. The past year included many amazing blessings, along with some challenging trials. The future seems bright, but I can be afraid of what is uncertain and out of my control. My primary focus should be the gift of life today, and living fully in each present moment. I also need to rely on the promise “Fear not, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
2. Ask Boldly. I have found if I approach asking boldly from a posture of “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4), then my Big Dreams will better align with God’s Big Dreams for me. He is the Dream Giver, the Creator (with capital letters). I am a dreamer and creator (with lower case letters), asking God boldly to accomplish the Big Dreams He wants to come true this year in my life. This fills me with awe and wonder because I only know a small portion of what is in store. As I live fully in the present, and ask boldly, I remember the past with thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness in doing “immeasurably more than all I ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me” (Ephesians 3:20). I look expectantly to the future believing “God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish” (Philippians 1:6).
3. Move Forward by Faith. When I lean into listening for God’s voice—His gentle whisper—He guides me forward by faith. This can be a sense of the Holy Spirit nudging me toward my next step of obedience, God “speaking” to me through His Word or answers to prayer, or through acting on invitations from others with discernment. Moving forward can appear the opposite when the Holy Spirit checks my spirit to slow down or stop, when God is quiet and can seem distant during a season of waiting for clarity with a next step, or when people are offering me “good ideas” which are not “God’s best” plans. These tensions are why Dreaming Big requires faith and drawing near to God. I can move forward by faith, drawing strength from Hebrews 11:6 (without faith it is impossible to please God), and James 4:8 (Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you).
Which of these can you put into practice to energize your Dreaming Big for 2020?
Fiona Webb says
Wow, Thank you so much for these encouraging words. Truly inspiring. I get to enjoy your beautiful music through Pietra Fitness workouts. I am training to be an Instructor so I listen to your music almost every day. God blessyou and your music.
Stanton Lanier says
Thank you for reading! So glad my music has been instrumental in your journey. God Bless you, Stanton.
David White says
Well spoken, friend.
Stanton Lanier says
Thank You! God Bless you, Stanton.
Stanton Lanier says
You’re welcome. Thank you for reading and for the encouragement. Blessings, Stanton.
Brent says
Thank you for the call to remember the truth. That Jesus is the Truth.
Thank you for the reminder that fear is a liar. That I don’t need to fear the future for God is with me. I can ‘live” today trusting Him to check me as I move forward. I don’t have to understand everything before I move but rather can trust him to direct my path as I move .
Your words have caused me to look back and remember that God has never failed me, rather he has directed my path even when I though that path made no sense. He has done abundantly beyond what I asked or thought.
I must continually remember that He is father to the fatherless. That He IS my Father.
Thanks again Stanton!
Brent
Stanton Lanier says
Thank YOU for sharing your heart here. Blessings, Stanton.
John Wallace says
Very theraputic and great brain food