Friday, 24 June 2011

• Why Hard Questions Are Good For God-Sized Dreams

  By Bonnie at Faith Barista
  
  “Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” ~ Karle Wilson Baker

  What do you do when hard questions threaten to flood your God-sized dreams?

  I wanted Father’s Day to start out extra special, so I decided to surprise Hubby with a new recipe.

  Buttermilk waffles sounded like a sure win, so I ran to the store for a carton of buttermilk, with the hope of whipping some up before he sauntered down.

  I didn’t read through the entire recipe before jumping in.  After all, how hard could it be to make waffles?

  It turned out this particular recipe had me jumping through a complicated 3-step process, that involved whipping up eggs whites, to fold them into some very lumpy batter.

  I started hyperventilating as my waffle mix looked more like a breakfast-meringue gone wild.

  Is it supposed to look like *this*?

  How much folding can this thing take before it’s completely messed up?

  As I hugged Hubby good morning with gooey-battered fingers, two boys underfoot getting hungrier by the minute, and visiting in-laws circling the kitchen, I wished I never even thought of the idea.

  Sometimes, when we get into the realities of attempting our God-sized dreams, it can feel like a big mistake.

  We question whether we’re doing “it” right.

  We wonder why we thought things could be different — why we believed we could be different.
  

  We wish we didn’t even start.

  Don’t give up.

  When we start asking the hard questions about ourselves and about God’s plans for us, we are right where God wants us.

  God-sized dreams pull us into the unknown.  It means we won’t be able to walk by sight anymore, but by faith.

  The Harder Questions

  See if you observe this phenomenon when attempting your God-sized dreams:  the more you step out into a new direction God is leading you, the harder questions will start flying.

  They will all circle around similar themes of numbers, results or influence.  The world tells us success breeds success.  If something produces good results, emulate it.  If something produces an unfavorable outcome, avoid it.

  This is the trap of hard questions.  We can only go as far as we can.

  This is also the opportunity for God-sized dreams.  We can take the next step, because God is going ahead with us.

  Par For The Course

  Sometimes, I feel doubtful whether I have what it takes to make the next leg of my God-sized dream.  I’ve learned this is par for the course of faith.  It isn’t time for me to draw away. Instead, I tell myself to lean into Jesus.

  At every intersection of hard questions, I hear Jesus’ voice speaking clearly, confidently and patiently:

  *  “Go in the strength you have.” Judges 6:14.

  We usually question our abilities.  God assures us His strength meets us in our weaknesses.

  God spoke these words to Gideon, even when he questioned God and thought he was abandoned by Him (“If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened?”).

  * “I will be with you.” Judges 6:16

  We easily slip into minimizing our value.  God chooses to make His home in us.

  God assured Gideon of His faithful presence, even when Gideon started in on his But-Lord reasons (“But Lord,” Gideon asked, “How can I save Isarel? My clan is the weakest and I am the least in my family.”).

  I’m learning God doesn’t grow tired repeating His encouragement.  Day after day.  No matter how many times I keep asking, God lovingly answers them all the same.

  I love you.  Keep going, Bonnie.

  ~~~~~

  All in all, I think those waffles took way too long to qualify for a future encore performance.  Everyone was a good sport and gobbled up breakfast.  To my surprise, they turned out golden brown and delicious.

  Between you and me.  I’ll leave the waffle cooking to Hubby.

  Next year, I think I’ll try a new french toast recipe I saw the other day.
  
  
  _________
  How is God encouraging you in your God-sized dreams?

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