From a young age, most of us are taught to “make something of ourselves.” We’re pushed externally and internally to take risks and follow our dreams. Some of us prefer a safe and predictable existence while some of us abandon everything we know in hopes of finding a more desirable life. Some of us grow up longing to be doctors or teachers and others feel drawn to the mission field or to ministry work at a church. The risks of less pay, financial debt or separation from family are worth the fight. We keep telling ourselves that we are pursuing a greater good. It will pay off in the end, or so we hope.
Sometimes, it can be hard to tell if this push to do more with our lives is from God or fueled by our own selfish desires. So how can we distinguish if we are following God’s path for our lives or our own path? If we are listening to the Holy Spirit and attempting to obey God in all areas of our lives, can we really make a wrong turn? Does God care if one of His children chooses to be a doctor or missionary? Will He bless either choice if that person is living in obedience to His truth?
Nehemiah had a dream to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. His desire to rebuild the wall was all consuming and he spent a lot of time praying that God would “remember him with favor” (5:19) and grant him success. Despite much opposition (Nehemiah 4), Nehemiah carried his dream through until its completion.
Are our dreams as relevant and important to the Kingdom of God as Nehemiah’s dream and if so, how do we know if God is behind our dreams? Maybe a better question might be, are we behind God’s dreams and how do we find those dreams?
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