DAY 2: "Why Do This At All?"

ENGAGING THOUGHT

So here you are at the edge of the cliff and maybe you truthfully have no idea how deep the abyss stretches or what waits at the bottom.  You've heard the old pessimist vs. optimist schtick before (glass half-full or glass half-empty).  Are you the type to assume the bottom of the ravine is filled with jagged rocks (waiting for you to be dashed upon, no doubt!), or do you have no problem imagining this to be the one ravine, the bottom of which holds the worlds largest open-air mattress and fluffy-pillow storage yard?  It could happen, right?  Every one of us has our own level of risk-tolerance: that amount of risk we are comfortable enduring.  We know there must be something at the bottom of the cliff - if only we knew what it was before we had to decide on jumping or not.  Not knowing makes jumping difficult, doesn't it?  Does not knowing what lays at the bottom mean it isn't worth the jump!

Taking this silly illustration to its furthest stretching-point: I believe we were created and designed to jump.  We were each created by God to perfectly fulfill His DREAM for us.  There are common elements to the DREAM that we all share together: restored relationship with Him through the person and work of Jesus Christ; a lifestyle that honors Him and displays our reverence toward Him; inviting others to discover His DREAM for their lives as well.  In the very first book of the Bible, Genesis we see God's declaration concerning the creation of mankind:

"So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them"                 (Genesis 1.27 TNIV). 

Stop and think about that for a second.  If God made us in His own image, and He does nothing randomly or without careful intent, doesn't it follow that He'd carry that same intentionality and purposefulness into our design?  God is also a risk-taker - after all, He didn't force mankind to worship and glorify Him - He asked that we do so.  That's risky! 

The majority of the elements of the DREAM, however, are absolutely unique to each of us - and we are the only ones that can truly live them out.  Let the full implications of this sink in for a moment: you are the only person who can fulfill that portion of God's DREAM.  One of Israel's earliest kings, David, wrote some of the most poignant and beautiful verses detailing much of our relationship with God.  Such as these:

"I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Psalms 139.14-16 TNIV). 

Now, engage with this thought as we run with our cliff-edge imagery: the height of the cliff, the nature of the journey down, even the conditions at the bottom do not change the fact that we were made for jumping.

If we're willing to trust God and His DREAM for our lives - then the only risk is in missing out on what He has for us.  It's only risky if we choose to live our lives contrary to our God-designed purpose.       

ACTION STEP

It's human nature to pick role models or heroes and admire them.  We do it in most every area of human endeavor.  Throughout your life you've probably identified individuals that you have defined as "living the dream."  

Pick one or two specific individuals that you have admired for their ability to "succeed" at life.  Write out some of the specific things about them that you wish were characteristics of your life.

ALTERNATIVE: If you could push a button and have two or three specific characteristics "downloaded" into your life, what would they be?  Why those? 

Tomorrow we'll identify the differences between a DREAM, a FANTASY, and a WISH.

DAY 1: "How Do I Feel?"

Obviously you're ready for something to change.   

You wouldn't be checking out the 60 Days of Dreaming challenge if you were completely satisfied with where you are and the direction you are headed.  Let me state one fundamental assertion right up front: no matter who you are or what stage of life you are in there is always room and opportunity for living God's DREAM for your life.

Over the course of the next 60 days you will learn to do a number of things while developing a whole new pattern of thought and behavior in regards to living the DREAM.  A few of the major things you will do are: 

1. Identify and Commit to the DREAM
2. Map out a Strategy
3. Share the DREAM

ENGAGING THOUGHT

Let's start with a mental image: imagine I've led you up to the edge of a cliff at night and asked you to step as close as you can and peer over the edge and take a long look into the abyss below.  You cannot see the bottom at all and have no idea just how far the drop might be, nor what waits at the bottom.  How might you feel if I said, "Now, jump!" ?

So how do you feel about all this?  How do you feel as you embark on the 60 Days of Dreaming Challenge?  I think your answer to that stems from how confident you feel about God's DREAM for your life.  Do you feel excitement?  Could 60 Days of Dreaming be just the right thing to jump-start a rocket-ship ride into the rest of your life?  Are you nervous?  Maybe this whole thing will make a mess of your carefully-orchestrated-and-arranged life?  Are you feeling apprehensive?  Perhaps you should approach an exercise like this with caution?  Are you feeling cynical about it?  You've tried everything else, this can't be anything new, right?  Are you feeling...something...but you're not quite sure what it is? 

Only you can put a name to the feelings you have as you step up to the edge of this cliff and peer over the edge into the unknown.  But what if it isn't really "the unknown"?  What if it's only unknown to you?  Jeremiah, a prophet of many generations ago, spoke the words given to him by God during a time when God's people, Israel, were about to undergo one of the darkest periods of their history: 

"For I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29.11 TNIV).

God had a plan for Israel - and He didn't keep it secret from them.  He has a plan for you as well - a DREAM for you.  Think about it: it would make absolutely no sense for Him to carefully and uniquely craft a DREAM for your life, create you in the perfect manner for the fulfillment of that DREAM, orchestrate His creation to provide for the living of that DREAM - and then keep it a secret from you!  I simply cannot believe that a loving God would want us stumbling about our lives without a clue as to what He wants most for us, from us, and through us!

Your feelings as you step up to this cliff and peer over the edge are valid and important.  No one could blame you for feeling some fear or apprehension.  I'm the type of person who jumps before even identifying it was a cliff at all (not always the best choice, either!).  Regardless of how your personality or your life-experiences may shape your feelings or where you "fall" on the spectrum of cliff-jumpers, you can take comfort in the fact that God's DREAM for your life has been well thought-out and perfectly designed for you.  

ACTION STEP

Write out EXACTLY how you feel about starting 60 Days of Dreaming.  

For some this may be a difficult enough task - not everyone is used to identifying their feelings, let alone writing about them.  Others might want to give yourself a page-limit before you start writing!

If you feel a real sense of anticipation, write out what it is about the next 60 days that makes you excited.  If you have doubts, identify those specific things which may be causing some fear or anxiety.  

Don’t worry about being eloquent or well-written - unless you choose to share these feelings, you are the only one who needs to see what you write. 


Tomorrow we'll take a brief look and identify some of the reasons for jumping at all.