Whether you are aware of it or not, God has a specific purpose for your life.
Sometimes it feels like a quiet, but persistent, call in your heart—to write a book, compose music, sing, raise a family, or own your own business. Other times, it’s more like an unquenchable yearning in your soul, something that you simply must do in your lifetime. Or it can simply be that thing that you’ve always dreamed about doing but seems to consistently get put on the back burner. Whatever it is for you, and however it feels, your purpose is divine. It gives meaning to your existence, and it’s important that you recognize it and pursue it.
The problem is that we often dismiss our dreams out of self-doubt and fear or because the daily grind of life gets in the way or just because of plain ol’ disbelief—that we can or should do it.
But what does God say about all of this?
In Joshua 1:9 (ESV), God told Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
In this passage, God was encouraging Joshua to go for the things that God had called him to do. Yes, it might feel scary, and yes, it may seem impossible. But God reminded him to “be strong and courageous and to not let fear stop him because God was with him as he went!”
The World and the Enemy
Jesus tells us, in John 16:33, that we will have trouble in the world. In John 10:10, He unpacks why. He gives the true source of this trouble and uncovers the enemy’s agenda—to steal, kill, and destroy. I’m not sure what your theology is around the existence of Satan, demons, and spiritual warfare. But Jesus clearly demonstrated the existence of these evil forces throughout His life. He healed the sick by casting out devils (Mark 9:17-26), He encountered and overcame Satan in the wilderness where He was tempted for 40 days to abandon His life purpose (Matthew 4:1-11), and was betrayed by one of His disciples, Judas, after Satan entered into him (Matthew 26:48-49).
Why is this important? Because it shows us that the enemy is not only real, but that he is actively engaged against the will and plans of God, His agenda—to save and heal humanity and make the planet look like heaven once again. He’s out to destroy lives, families, reputations, nations, and anything else he can get his hands on. On a more personal note, it really means that that the devil is against the part you play in fulfilling God’s agenda. He’s out to steal your God-given purpose and dreams as well, since they are a part of God’s global purpose and dreams.
Mark 3:15 tells us that Satan “immediately comes and takes away the word that is sown.” Being a child of God and walking the path He has for you comes with opposition. When you experience resistance, obstacles, conflicts, and challenges as you are following the words God has spoken over you and the dreams God has put on your heart, then I encourage you to consider it as a confirmation that you are on the right path. And even when you see the exact opposite happen, (think of the storm rising up against the disciples as they obeyed Jesus to “cross over to the other side”) I encourage you to not question God, and stay the course, recognizing that it’s just the opposition of the enemy.
So, if you are feeling fear, anxieties, or doubt about the dreams you carry in your heart, rejoice!! It means you are actually engaging in the battle over your destiny! You are feeling these things because (1) you’re out of your comfort zone, and there’s a part of you that is struggling to believe you are and can do all that God called you to be and do, and (2) the enemy doesn’t like it that you’re partnering with God to release His glory.
God’s Supernatural Work – Beyond Your Wildest Dreams
God is so much bigger and stronger than your fears. And remember, Jesus annihilated the enemy on Calvary. The only authority and power he has is the authority and power we give him through our own unbelief and fear. You are more powerful in Christ than you can imagine. The Holy Spirit within is way more powerful than your circumstances.
When in doubt, simply open you Bible, and read through one of the many, many miraculous stories about how people overcame impossible odds and partnered with God to see miraculous things happen. For example, remember Mary? She was told that she, a virgin, would bear a son. How ridiculous is that? She even asked, how will this be? But God’s angel told her, “‘… nothing will be impossible with God.’ And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’” (Luke 1:37-38)
In reality, we can’t fathom God’s greatness, goodness, and might. He is more than able to carry out His purposes in our lives. And our God is a wonderful Father. He would never put a dream in your heart and then just leave you out there hanging.
Ephesians 3:20 (AMP) tells us, “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].”
God has the power to call into being things that are not (Romans 4:17). If He has given you a dream, I suggest that you simply agree with Him by taking steps of faith toward it. Give Him something to work with and watch Him carry out His purpose superabundantly; don’t worry about how you will ever accomplish it. You won’t—not on your own, anyway. The Father who lives in you will do it through you.