What does this tell us about pursuing our dreams? We will seldom have a moment of absolute conviction of victory as we embark on the dream path. If we wait for people to toss flowers at our feet and wish us success, we will be waiting a long time.
Yet we cannot let fear of the battle stop us in our tracks, keeping us frozen to the spot as our opportunities slip away. We have to have courage to pursue our dreams.
Courage isn’t just for comic book heroes and movie stars. It’s for anyone who will go after his or her dream. Life is going to be full of battles, no matter what. But when you dream, the battles are taking you somewhere.
The Bible spurs me on when it talks about courageous people “who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword” (Heb. 11:33-34, NASB). I love those action words: conquered, obtained, escaped. Those are words of courage and reward.
Promises must be obtained, kingdoms must be conquered, the lions’ mouths must be shut. And the best part, I believe, is that these people became powerful in the battle, not before it. Courage gets you to the battle. God’s power sees you through.
I have noticed that God never supplies power until I need it. He always provides power along the way, after I have decided to go in the direction of a dream. You have to take steps toward your dream before you will receive power to fulfill it.
God promises that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (see Phil. 4:13). That should give you courage.
You may see the battle rising, the clouds gathering and the enemies arrayed before you. Instead of abandoning your post or going back to a life defined by other people’s opinions, dig in and get ready to fight for your dream. Walk with courage in the direction of your calling. God will supply power along the way.
God has called you to dream great dreams. He has called you to be creative, like our Master. He has made you to be an explorer, an adventurer.
As you begin the journey toward your dream, God will give you power along the way. With courage and God’s help, you will overcome all obstacles and launch out of the starting gate into your destiny.
Tommy Barnett is the senior pastor of the 15,000-member Phoenix First Assembly of God in Arizona. He is also the founder of the Dream Center in Los Angeles, a multi-faceted inner-city ministry.
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