What are your God-sized dreams?

Jamila, I get my Bible studies from Crosswalk.com. This is the Girlfriends in God series. I also subscribe to Dr. Charles Stanley (his are much shorter).

 

July 27, 2010 
Faith Believes God 
Part 2 
Mary Southerland

 

Today's Truth
Matthew 14:22-24 (NCV) "After he had sent them away, he went by himself up into the hills to pray.  It was late, and Jesus was there alone.  Immediately Jesus told his followers to get into the boat and go ahead of him across the lake.  He stayed there to send the people home.  By this time, the boat was already far away from land.  It was being hit by waves, because the wind was blowing against it."

Friend To Friend
Faith believes that God is able.  You would think, after seeing Jesus in action, that the disciples would not let something like a little storm rock their world.  They should have known with absolute confidence that God was aware of and able to meet their every need.  Faith is a quiet certainty that God keeps His promises.
We do not like to wait on God with "quiet certainty."  We see a need, and instead of seeking God's wisdom and timing, we make a plan we think will meet that need and then, with earthly resources, see that the plan is carried out.  As a result, we often settle for so much less than God had in mind.  "Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope" (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).  
Many children seem to possess the "quiet certainty" that God is able.  The prayer life of a child is often powerful as they dare to pray big prayers, asking God to do the impossible. 
Christmas was just around the corner when we decided to go home for the holidays.  We lived in South Florida at the time and rarely had the opportunity or finances to fly to Texas where Dan and I were both raised and our families still live.  Everyone was excited, especially Jered and Danna.  While they looked forward to seeing all of their aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins, they were more excited about seeing snow for the first time.  The only problem was that snow was not in the forecast.  In fact, it was supposed to be unusually warm in Texas during our visit.  Danna and Jered would not be deterred.  Nothing we said convinced them that there would be no snow for Christmas.  Every night, they prayed, asking God to let it snow in Texas.  They told all of their friends and anyone who would listen that they were going to Texas for Christmas and that it was going to snow.  I gave up, planning what I would say to our children when it did not snow.  Yes, it would be a hard lesson, but life is filled with hard lessons.    
Our plane landed and we were met with hugs and kisses from my sister and brother-in-law ... but no snow.  It didn't matter. Jered and Danna were confident.  Betty and Carey fielded a barrage of "snow questions" as we claimed our baggage and started home.  Interestingly enough, it did seem to get colder the closer we got to Fort Worth.  In fact, by the time we arrived, it was just plain cold - but certainly not cold enough to snow.
As Dan and I unpacked suitcases, the kids squealed with delight at the Christmas tree, the gifts underneath, the home-made fudge ... and the snow!  "Everybody, come see the snow!" they shouted.  Dan and I looked at each other, smiled and continued unpacking, realizing that it was time for the "sometimes God says no" conversation. 
Suddenly, my usually rational sister appeared in the doorway of our bedroom, eyes big as saucers.  "You are not going to believe this!" she said.  The kids had obviously brainwashed her.  Dan and I played along, following her to the living room where both Jered and Danna were plastered against the sliding glass door, watching giant snowflakes gently fall, their faith on display for all to see. 
Over the years, I have often relived that moment, cherishing the lesson I learned that day.  God is able!  Even when everything seems wrong and everyone shouts "impossible," He is able.  We may not always understand the process, but we can always rest in the fact that God is God, able to meet every need in ways we cannot begin to imagine outside the possibilities of true faith. 

 

Let's Pray
Father, I want to have the faith of a child.  Help me believe Your truth even when it seems impossible.  Give me new dreams that will honor You and populate heaven.  When doubts come, remind me to never doubt in the darkness what You have said in the light.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.

 

Now It's Your Turn
What do you believe God for right now?  What are your God-sized dreams?  Is your life totally explainable in human terms or is God's power the obvious foundation for what is happening?
Read Acts 2:16-18 and prepare your heart for God to do something new.  Be open and willing to obey Him.  Celebrate "the next chapter" of life