As God has been dealing with me, he has challenged my ability to believe him for big dreams. This week at TLC we started a new series Big Dreams because I believe God is challenging us to think bigger! To dream the impossible means I need to trust God for the things I can't see. I am qualified for greatness and he qualified you as well. God knit you together in your mother's womb. Every single one of your gifts, talents, and personality traits were given to you for His glory and His purposes. Singer/Songwriter Stephanie Smith candidly shares many life lessons she learned pursuing her dream of becoming a musician. Though many doors began to open when she put God’s will for her life above her own, she learned that they could all be closed tomorrow. Finding her acceptance and joy in God’s unconditional love and having the obedience to follow Him wherever He leads keeps her grounded.
This story of Stephanie Smith is a reminder of our text from Sunday. How many times have we felt God didn’t care about our needs. As Blind Bartimaues heard Jesus take his 16 mile trek from Jerusalem to Jericho he was silent as Jesus passed him by the first time. However, on his way out of Jericho Blind Bart cries out “Jesus son of David, have mercy on me!” Thats just like Jesus to give mercy. Mercy he freely gives at the moment of surrender. Notice he doesn’t ask for anything tangible at first, I believe its because when you look in the eyes and hear the voice of Jesus you know without a doubt that the thing you need the most is, His Mercy. All things are possible in the presence of mercy and his grace.
So the question is, what big dream do you have that you have not given to God?
Stephanie's passion for music did not develop randomly. It was placed there by God for His glory. When Stephanie realized that her musical ability was not for her own good, but for his glory it radically changed her perspective on the situation. Isn’t it funny at the moment of surrender God places a Chance meeting with Toby Mac to change her life? At the moment of Blind Bart’s meeting, he gets Jesus attention but Jesus ask him “What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus is full of mercy but he desires for us to call out to him. To know exactly who he is so he can give us everything we need. That knowledge led Bartimaeus to say Jesus, I want my sight! My prayer in the blind areas of my life is, "Jesus give me my sight." the Bible says where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint.
As we go through life, we are Blind and because of our blindness we don’t raise up great expectations. People rebuked him but he knew what he needed from Jesus. Sitting by the roadside begging and waiting didn't seem to be appealing anymore. If you can get past the exterior restrictions and live in the interior revelation, God will give you insight into your future. You have never really seen until Jesus opens your eyes. How does he open his eyes? He says go your way, your faith has healed you.
This means its necessary to dream big in whatever your endevour in life. If God placed it in you he desires to get his glory out of you so refuse small dreams. Ask God for something you have never seen before? I was reading an article this week and it said that before writing the first chapter of Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling planned for seven years at Hogwarts. As a result, Harry Potter is one of the most read books of all-time.
That same article goes on to say that before creating the first Stars Wars movie in the 1970's, George Lucas planned for at least six films and started at episode four, rather than episode one. As a result, almost 40 years later the entire world still freaks out when a new Star Wars come out. This would not be possible if Lucas hadn't thoughtfully and largely planned. Are you planning for something great? Are you prepared to ask Jesus for something you cannot see? That faith, and that faith is the very thing God needs to put it all together. Plant your seed of faith today!
Don't just plant a tree, plant an orchard. What you plant in life is also what you harvest. What is something God has placed in you to accomplish? Write it down and work on it every week until that God prepared moment manifest itself.
“And they came to Jericho. And as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart. Get up; he is calling you." And throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Rabbi, let me recover my sight." And Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” -Mark 10:46-52 ESV