Erwin McManus says “Your dreams fuel your future.” A few years ago I got to spend several days in close contact with Erwin at two conferences in Europe. He’s a crazy combo of inspiration, insanity, holiness, futurism…all wrapped up in a very poetic package. The other day I ran across a blog post by Nate Beaird where he mentions this quote and adds to it. Nate tweaks this quote by saying…”Your dreams fuel your future but decisions are the vehicle to get you there.”
Over my 18 year journey in the ministry I’ve seen countless people in the church with great dreams. I’ve gone on short-term mission trips with people that sensed a call to long-term service. I’ve heard countless stories of people in the states that sensed a burden deep inside to move overseas or start a ministry in the US. Person after person in the church (and plenty outside the church) that had dreams, visions and ideas that if acted on could change the world. The problem…their decisions. The girl that wants to serve overseas marries a guy that only wants to make a lot of money. The guy who wants to be a pastor marries a girl who wants the American dream. The young guys with big dreams but no accountability and they fall. The women who have visions but in desperation marry the first guy that comes along and they get side-tracked.
It can happen to anyone. We went home after our first two-year term and ended up over $25k in debt due to job issues and bad decisions…a dream isn’t enough. When we heard the Lord calling us to return overseas we each worked 2 jobs, cut back, spent two years with no vacations, no extra spending, saving every penny. Why? Because a dream isn’t enough.
What dreams do you have now? Whats stopping you from attaining them? Do your actions support or derail your dreams? A dream isn’t enough.
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Excellent, thank you!
I just started to feel a renewed fire for Japan, a country I was stationed in during the Navy. I was so certain back then that I would return as a missionary someday, but debt, kids, and my navy career sidetracked me. This is an excellent, if not humbling post. I have so much work to do…so many decisions to make. Thank you.