Thursday, August 7, 2008

Blooming Dreams

Does God bring dreams to pass? Do you have dreams yet to be fulfilled? The Bible gives lots of examples of people with God given dreams that came to pass.

What about you, do you still have dreams inside that you believe are from the Lord? Are you still waiting for those dreams to come to pass?

The Lord appointed seasons for our benefit. In this season, plants are in full bloom. Could it be possible that our dreams are in full bloom? Think about the following statement.

Dreams are in full bloom.

Bloom. What exactly does it mean to bloom?

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary (online), it means to produce or yield flowers; to mature into achievement of one’s potential.

Let’s dissect the part that may apply to us; to mature into achievement of one’s potential.

Mature means to come to full development. We can understand that a child is not mature while a parent may be considered mature. In Christ, to be mature is to be planted and growing in discipleship thus having a continuing relationship with our Lord.

Achievement means something accomplished successfully especially by means of exertion, skill, practice or perseverance. To achieve, we must put forth effort and not quit before it is completed. In Christ, we have to persevere in what we’re called to accomplish for His glory. Some of our achievements may be education, marriage (and still married years later), having our own family, career, and so forth.

Potential means possessing the capacity for growth or development. It’s an ability that is present, but not visible at this point. As a parent, I can see the potential in my children. I can see that each one has skills that can be developed. The Lord, know what potential we have within us and each stage of our life is a process preparing us for that purpose.

Therefore, if our God given dreams are in full bloom, we’ve reached a place of maturity in Christ that we’re ready to yield and produce sweet fragrant flowers. We’re rooted in His deep love. We’ve persevered through storms and trials to reach this point in our growth with the power and strength of other believers rooted in Christ. Now we are another step closer to realization of our purpose. It’s there ready to produce. Stay firm.

Ephesians 3:20 AMP

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]—

To God be the glory in Christ Jesus forever and ever, Amen!

Engrafted by His Grace—

______________________


All word definitions quoted from dictionary.com unless otherwise noted.

9 gracious comments:

Nicole said...

Shonda,

Thanks for this post. Right now I am in a season with my job that I am not enjoying too much. This post gave me hope that God is molding and shaping me for possibly another job (hopefully stay at home wife and mom) someday. I'm excited to see what God has up his sleeves. I all too often become a complainer in my current situation and I really should change my perspective because I know that God has my best interest at heart, even if it doesn't seem like it at the moment.

I read a devotional by Max Lucado a couple of nights ago that says that when we submit to God's plan we can trust our desires as God is too gracious to ask you to do something that you hate. I am waiting for this in my life. I hope it comes soon! In the meantime, I am praying for perserverance.

Blessings,
Nicole

Lisa Smith said...

Shonda

I love that God will superanundantly accomplish all that I dare to dream of!

And, Nicole, hang on tight. You are in such a good place. Change is coming. I believe that!

I love that there are many dreams that have come true and others linger,fresh on my mind. Yet there are so Many I have not even begun to dream. God, please teach me to dream big and believe big and trust big and live big!!!!!

connie said...

Oh yes the seasons of our lifes, I have gone through so many in the last few years, and I pray that I am doing God will... Thank you for laying this out... You are in my prayers...
Connie
GBU

Anonymous said...

Blooming dreams are a hope-filled perspective. So much to look forward to as dreams unfold and manifest in our lives. Sweet perspective, Shonda. Love, Annette

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Beautiful post and it really made me think

Kathy Schwanke said...

Hello Shonda, I enjoyed reading your post. I love flowers and I love God's lessons from the garden.

I also noted that we have the same verse for our blog.:)

Glad I landed here (from Tiffany's comments)
Blessings!

Jean said...

Hi, Shonda, I came over to personally thank you for praying for CJ and I see you have a link to him through Annies Eyes. It brought tears to my eyes that you care so much. I, also, love this post and am copying it to my sweet 26 yo daughter who I feel will be blessed by it.

Thank you for praying for us, Shonda.

Love, Jean

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

You have such a caring heart Shonda! A big heart! I posted early this week cause of moving. We move on Saturday. Thanks so much for the e-mails---they mean a lot to me.

Tea with Tiffany said...

I'm in the middle of praying through my dreams and trying to discern what God wants. Sometimes dreams are hard work and it's easy for me to want to say, "No more. It's too much work" than to press through and reap the harvest of full blooms. Great reminder for me. Thank you.

You are a teacher at heart I can tell. Keep writing!