Give Birth to Your Dream
Overcoming Obstacles to Fulfilling Your God-Given Dreams
Over two thousand years ago, Mary gave birth to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The divine nature of Jesus’ birth is miraculous, indeed, but it can also be filled with wild imagination if we put ourselves in Mary’s place.
Can you imagine an angel suddenly appearing before you? Do you think you could comprehend an angel saying that you would give birth to a son who would be the Savior of the world? Can you fathom this happening to you as a teenager? Suppose you had a fiancé. How do you think you would explain this scenario to him?
Quite interestingly, Mary had only one question. “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34 NIV).
Gabriel told her that it would be by the Holy Spirit and assured her that with God all things are possible.
Mary replied, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38 NIV). Nine months later, in a stable in Bethlehem, she gave birth to the Savior of the world.
The seemingly quiet soft-spoken nature of Mary has always amazed me of how she responded to such news. I was particularly drawn to her nature when I was faced with a God-given dream. Unlike Mary, my responses were screaming out the opposite, some of which were:
· “this is not the right time,
· I will be misunderstood,
· my family will think I’ve lost my mind!”
Though I did not have an angel appear before me to reassure me in making the decision of a lifetime, I prevailed much in prayer, read scriptures for months, and received counseling from my pastor before pursuing the dream.
Probably the one scripture that finally brought me to the place to say, “Yes, Lord” was: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10 NIV).
Having been addicted to being a people pleaser for years was my biggest obstacle in pursuing the dream God had given me. However, this scripture jarred me into seeing that I could not be a servant of Christ if pleasing others was more important to me than pleasing God.
And so it was, trust was the stance I had to take. In doing so, I was reminded of the legendary story that has been handed down through the years of the weary traveler who ran out of water as he was walking through the desert. He came upon a water pump. Tied to the pump was a bottle with a small amount of water in it.
Attached to the bottle was a note that read, “Pour the water in the pump, and pump hard. When you do this, you will have an abundance of water. Drink the water, leaving a small amount of water in the bottle for the next traveler.”
The thirsty traveler had a decision to make-drink a little water that would give him a little relief, or pour it all in and trust for an abundance.
Mary and the weary traveler taught me two things about giving birth to my God-given dream, as well as being His servant.
1. I had to break free from my biggest obstacle and say as Mary said, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
2. I had to pour it all in and trust as the weary traveler did.
Reflection
Have you ever experienced times in the past or currently experiencing a God-given dream? If so, what is it?
What do you believe is the biggest obstacle you have in pursuing it?
Tell how Mary and the weary traveler could be an influence to you to give birth to your dream?
Goals
List one goal you can accomplish today (at home, at work, with family, etc.) that will allow you to live out your purpose in regard to DREAMS.
I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38 NIV)