If we look deep down in our hearts, we will see a glimpse of a dream, no matter how deep we have buried it. Each of us has a dream (or more of them). We can live and fulfill our dreams or fear our dreams, feel unworthy of our dreams, doubt our dreams, be ashamed of our dreams, etc. As Christian women, we can feel unworthy to pursue our dreams (though there are also many women who actually live their dreams).
We can have our reservations about chasing our dreams because of being Christians: does God want us to pursue our dream, and won’t it deviate our attention from God to self?
And we can doubt ourselves as women: are we worthy of having a dream, and shouldn’t we be taking care of our families instead?
Well, I believe God gives us dreams to pursue. He made us for a reason and wants to see us live in our purpose. It is then that we will serve others best.
Though we should do our inner checks to see our motives and we should align our dreams with the Scriptures. If our dream goes against God’s Word, it means the dream isn’t biblical. These inner checks and aligning with what the Bible says, help us surrender our dreams to God. This way, we will know whether it is OK to pursue our dream and if it is a God-given dream.
What is the meaning of ‘pursue your dreams’?
When you pursue your dream(s), you work toward that which you most desire or hope to do, have, or accomplish in life. Following or chasing your dreams means you pursue a goal you wish to achieve or cannot give up on something you want to do.
Interestingly, the experience of pursuing your dreams is rewarding. You get that extra passion, that vibe, that motivation. It adds up to your life; it doesn’t subtract. Even if it costs you much energy, time (or even money), once you are pursuing your passion, it will energize you.
Pursuing your dreams propels you into a life of ‘doing what you love and loving what you do‘.
What does the Bible say about pursuing a dream?
God often speaks through visions and dreams. The Bible is full of narratives of people having dreams, both in the Old and the New Testament. Those dreams often contained warnings, but God also showed the future in dreams. The future God shows is the plan He has for us. It is up to us to pursue that dream.
God gives dreams in our sleep and dreams in our hearts (cherished aspirations, ambitions, visions, or ideals). The dreams planted in our hearts are the ones we can chase after. Often, God-given dreams are visions. We either see them visually or experience them as an idea placed in our hearts and minds.
“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.”
Joel 2:28 (NLT)
Chasing our dreams is a godly assignment. We don’t chase them for ourselves but for God to do what he wants us to do. Our dreams are worth chasing after, as we will serve others with it. God usually gives dreams that are blessings to others. It pleases Him to see us working on those visions and He helps us by giving us the desire and the capacity to chase after them.
“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
Philippians 2:13 (NKJV)
God wants us to follow our dreams, as long as they are God given. When we make plans, we should ensure our plans reflect God’s purpose for our lives. If we don’t, our plans will fail.
“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
Proverbs 19:21 (NKJV)
Does God want you to pursue your dreams?
This is a tough question. Often, our thoughts block our creativity and limit our actions. If we are not sure God wants us to do what we want to do, we won’t take a step. If we don’t take care, we ‘kill’ our God-given dreams. It is OK to have a dream.
We simply need to do a ‘check-in’ and keep checking-in. How do our hearts feel about it? Is it scriptural? Do I feel God’s Spirit is in it? Do I recognize God’s guidance? Etc. We can surrender our plans to God and check in prayer with Him. This aids us in aligning with what God says about pursuing our dreams.
When we stay aligned with God’s will while we pursue our dreams, we ensure we won’t deviate from God’s plan for our lives. A big BONUS is that God will add His blessing to our dreams. Not because we want to live our dreams, but because we are pursuing HIS dreams.
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
Proverbs 16:3 (NKJV)
We should also align our words with God’s will. Instead of boasting and pointing to ourselves while we take steps to achieve our dreams, we can completely surrender to God in the way we speak. It will also remind us those are God’s plans in the first place, not our own.
“What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that’.”
James 4:15 (NKJV)
How do I start pursuing my dreams?
What’s your dream? Do you want to give your vision a jumpstart? Well, here is how to pursue a dream.
Start with writing your goals and use these questions to speed up the delivery of your God-given dream. It helps to ask yourself questions and ponder about it for a while. Pray. Ask God for guidance and to reveal what truly matters.
1. What’s your highest priority in this lifetime?
What’s most important for you to experience, explore, or embrace this time around? Until you answer this question, your life goals will be off purpose. Unaligned with your inner passion, your intentions will lack the power to attract the people and situations necessary to become a reality.
Get clued into your genuine joy. What activities did you enjoy as a child? What are your hobbies now? When you align your goals with your soul, synchronicity kicks in to guide you to your target.
2. Is this your dream, or someone else’s?
Are your goals your own choice, or what others think you should strive for? When you are old, will you look back and wish you had followed your passion? Will you regret having “played it safe?”
As Christians, we often think we shouldn’t live our dreams. We ask ourselves, is it OK to pursue our dreams? Is it selfish to go after our dreams? While you can also ask yourself how you can serve others with your dream. Remember, your dream is God given. It is yours to live it and serve others with it. But this does not mean you should live other people’s dreams.
3. Are you settling for less than?
Are you resigned to accepting less than your full share of love, health, and success in this lifetime? Have you compromised and sacrificed your dream? Anything short of living your true passions will never make you happy.
God is a BIG God. He gives BIG dreams. God wants us to dream BIG.
Pursue your dreams to the fullest!
4. What will you feel like when you reach your dream?
Personal passion fuels a vision. Dive into the thrill and exhilaration of the feeling of living your dream. Writing your vision down helps you to live it, to imagine it along the way, and eventually to reach it.
“Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”
Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV)
5. What steps can you take today toward your dream?
Don’t defer your dream. Set up supports and systems around you to translate your intentions into action. Jump on every opportunity that is in line with your God-given purpose and vision. Trust God, He will guide you and make a way. After all, it is His dream you are chasing.
Are there smaller projects that lead to your larger dream? Take small steps. All those steps together form the bridge to the fulfillment of your vision.
Measure your progress. Track those little wins-by writing in a journal or telling a friend (or God…).
6. Are you telling yourself: “I can’t have my dream?”
Most people don’t believe they can live their dream. Either their belief system has them believing they don’t deserve their dream, or they feel they can’t make a living doing what they love. To avoid the pain of feeling they can’t have their dream, people often keep their dream so buried they can’t remember they ever had a dream.
God wants us to dream BIG.
Not because we think we can do it or deserve it or have the right to it, but because God loves us so much. He wants the best for us. He is the God of all creation. Nothing is too difficult, and nothing is too BIG for Him.
Everyone has a God-given dream.
God destined every one of His children to fulfill a purpose, His purpose.
Why wait?
You are worthy to pursue and live your dreams!
Christel Owoo is a Christian Life Coach, Author, and Women’s Ministry Leader. In her coaching practice, she helps women to realize they can reach their goals, have compelling visions, and live life to the fullest.
She comes alongside her clients and draws out what God already placed in them.
Book a FREE call to find out how Christian Coaching can help you grow personally & achieve your dreams.
1 Comment on Is it OK to pursue your dreams?
Comments are closed.