I would describe myself as being a “cosmic” dreamer. I have dreams as to what I would like to see accomplished prior to my life expiring on this planet, and I like to dream big. I mean if one is to dream why not dream vast, grandiose, dreams of galactic size that are light years beyond global?
Lately I’ve been dreaming of our little church at Honey Lake. I see it fulfilling a spiritual need in our community and beyond. In my dreams of course our little church would not have any of the problems that exist in most churches, and the pews would be filled to overflowing to the point of having to broadcast the services to other buildings and around the world just to accommodate all those people who are hungry to hear the word of God. All would be vanilla and the biggest chore would be how to answer people all over the United States, Canada, in Hong Kong, the Philippines, South America, and Algeria in their own languages.
Several of my friends came over last night to discuss how best to begin services at the Honey Lake Plantation Church and then and onward towards a worldwide ministry, (the crown jewel of my dreams). My friends are talented to the person and come from all walks of life. Not all of them are dreamers though, in fact most are probably not in that category. I refer to such types as “Reality Doers”. Every dreamer needs to surround themselves with “Reality Doers”. These are the folks who can make dreams come true and make no mistake, dreams are sure to remain just dreams if there is no one around to make them happen.
So what did the “Reality Doers” think of my dreams?
Whoa! Slow down Nellie! Rome wasn’t built in a day! Not everyone only sleeps three hours a night! It takes time! It takes money! It takes planning! Planning takes time! Did I already say that?
Hmmm… Yep reality sets in when those spoilers, the “Reality Doer” set get involved and actually begin enumerating all of the tasks that need to be accomplished, and obstacles that must be overcome. They also like to mention that just maybe the thought had not crossed my mind that with my hectic schedule that I just might be a little too busy to do all that work solo. Oh yeah and it takes money, lots of money to do what I want. Where will that come from?
Huh?
Bahhh! That kind of thinking requires patience and I don’t have any.
But “reality” soon sets in and I know that big plans must be broken down into little more achievable pieces. If I am to accomplish much of anything of a grand nature it has to begin by dividing it up into bite size, achievable pieces just like the proverbial enigma, “How does one eat an elephant?” And its answer: “One bite at a time my friend – one bite at a time”.
And to that I sarcastically respond, “It depends upon how large the tribe is and how many people are taking bites… A big tribe can devour an elephant fairly quickly
And so it has become “painfully” obvious to me that our little church will not begin with three services a day and Sunday school for all ages, but…sigh…one service per month.
But it will be a memorable one and I can assure you a good time will be had by all and God’s name will be glorified.
So I’m working on my patience today. Admittedly I’m blue that I can’t have what I envision by next Sunday morning, but I know that we can slog through the minutia and eventually get there. It is this point that discourages most dreamers to quit dreaming. Not me. I’ve accomplished big dreams and I like that feeling of seeing a dream come true and a plan come together.
My life’s verse, Philippians 4:13 states: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Ok that means “I” have to do my part and that the “all” things to which Paul refers must be within God’s will in order for God to get behind it. I think establishing a church that will be exciting and fun for people to attend fits that criteria.
I’m not just a dreamer; I’m a believer too. I believe the Bible when it tells me I can accomplish all things through Christ who gives me the strength to accomplish my dreams, and I understand that I will have to work hard along with my “Reality Doer” team to make it happen.
And yes satan will try to prevent it all from happening through discouragement and by throwing “wet blankets” along the way and raining on the parade, but I’m confident that he will fail in that regard and end up slinking back to his catacombs defeated and muttering to himself.
See you in church…
Hebrews 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.