We Dream Big
Written by Morgan Frey, published June 2021
We are children of the King who fear nothing and no man… for the glory of God and the good of our people.
Have you been to Target or scrolled through social media and seen the phrase DREAM BIG? The phrase dream big is marketed to us every day. To be honest, as I think about the cultural value of dreaming big, anxiety, fear, and pressure well up inside of me, almost paralyzing me from even wanting or knowing how to respond. As I have pressed deeper into these emotions, I have come to realize that I have an unhealthy relationship with the phrase dreaming big because society informs us that if we dream big enough, we can do anything we desire, that our dreams are the ticket to success, and that our dreams lead to fulfilled purpose. These same emotions have carried over to my spiritual walk. I have thought, “okay, I need to muster up enough good ideas that engage the community,” or “I need to ask enough good questions that engage my friend's hearts,” or “I need to start a non-profit and promote change globally.” In admitting these emotions, God has quieted me with his love (Zephaniah 3:17) and reframed the value - rather than being an external action, dreaming big is an internal posture that propels us to respond with joy and action into Kingdom moments that push back darkness. Dreaming big is the act of worship for the sake of God’s glory, sustained through abiding, and is initiated by the Holy Spirit through prayer.
Matthew 6:9-13: “This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father is heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. And in teaching them how to pray, He models to them a life of dreaming big - worship, abiding, and kingdom vision. My prayer as you read is that maybe even in this moment, God would position your heart to receive both his rest and vision, and that his glory and grace would usher you into worship, treasuring His heart, and responding with faith.
1. Worship
Psalm 145: “I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.”
Dreaming big is the act of worship for the sake of God’s glory. Worship shapes our affections and desires for something greater than this earth can satisfy. Worship reminds us of God’s past faithfulness and helps our hearts cling to truth in seasons of suffering and waiting. Worship acknowledges our humanity and reminds us of the saving work of Jesus on the cross for our salvation. Worship reminds us that God is the giver and purpose of all dreams.
Reflect: Where in your life is it hard to worship? How does remembering God’s greatness lead you to trust him for your life? What attribute of God has been a rock for you in this season?
2. Abide
John 15:4-5: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
The Kingdom work of dreaming big begins with abiding in the Father so He can produce the fruit that aligns with His heart. Dreaming big is sustained through resting in the work of Jesus. Jesus dismantles a works-based faith by stating that we are inadequate apart from Him, His salvation, and His sanctifying work in our hearts. Abiding reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, therefore, dreaming big is communal, both with God and with others.
Reflect: Where have you been trying to produce without abiding? What might God be calling you into in terms of abiding with him? Confess your heart, maybe that is comparison, apathy, jealousy, or anger, both to Jesus (1 John 1:9) and your community (James 5:16).
3. Prayer
Proverbs 2:1-6: “My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
As we read in John 15, apart from Jesus we can do nothing. Because of Jesus’ blood, we now can approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Because of Jesus’ resurrection, we have the assurance of our faith. Because of Jesus’ nearness, our hearts are shaped to look more like Him. Because of Jesus we can stop striving and know we were formed by the Creator, pursued by the Savior, and equipped by the Spirit. Jesus’ heart is that we would abide, remain, and stay in Him. He does not desire us to go off and prove our worth in Him through our big actions. In our abiding and seeking, He desires to give wisdom, insight, and dreams that will expand His kingdom for all to experience His glory and His love that quiets the soul. Dreaming big is initiated by the Spirit through prayer. Dreaming big is asking God, “what is your heart and how can I be a part of your heart.” God delights in giving to his children (Matthew 7:7-11), yet our hearts may sometimes believe that God is not always good or that he is withholding from us.
Reflect: Thank God that He offers us His word. Surrender your heart and desires to the Lord. Ask God for His heart for His kingdom and for your place of life, work, and ministry. Ask God for obedience and faith to respond.
Matthew 13:31-32: “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”
Just like the kingdom of God was started with one seed, Jesus, and expanded to us, let our lives be simple acts of faith in a BIG God who can produce a harvest and reach others (people groups?) we could not even imagine. Why do we dream big? We dream big for the sake of God’s glory being known throughout the world so that others can partake in His grace, nearness, and kingdom forever and ever. We dream big for the purpose of ushering others into the rhythms of treasuring Jesus, honoring and shepherding others, and fighting for Kingdom moments. Dreaming big is centered on the glory of God and the good of His people.
My friends, on days where your heart has no words to worship, run to the cross and confess. On days where abiding is hard, run to the cross and confess. On days where your prayers feel dry, run to the cross and confess. In our prayers of confession and seeking, He promises to forgive and give wisdom. Let us be a people marked by worship, abiding, and prayer for the sake of God’s kingdom coming to earth as it is in heaven.