Racing Toward Your Dream

God has placed special gifts, talents, and specific dreams inside each one of us; things He knows not only will define who we are, but also help us reach our full potential in life. In this new year, let's lay hold of those dreams and start pressing toward the finish line! 


Recently I was talking to a friend of mine who shared a motivating story about pursuing dreams. He told me that not too long ago, he found himself in the hospital facing a life-or-death situation regarding his health. While contemplating all of the serious “what ifs” that were going through his mind at the time, he remembers agonizing the most over one particular thought—the fact that while he was pleased with his life’s accomplishments, he still had one burning desire which, up to that point, he had not yet pursued.

As he shared his story with me, I couldn’t help but think about some of the desires and aspirations the Lord has put on the inside of me. Things I’ve wanted or dreamed about doing for years—things I know I am fully capable of doing—but up to this point, are things I still have not pursued.

My friend mentioned that he had always wanted to race cars; in fact, auto racing had been a desire for most of his life. But now faced with the possibility of never being able to step out and experience this particular desire of his heart, it was his only regret and something he vowed to change if given the chance.


It got me thinking about some of my own dreams—one of which is public speaking. Getting up in front of a large group of people may cause some folks to become a bit queasy, but not me. It’s something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was a junior in high school. I am also an actor, so I’ve had many opportunities to perform or speak in front of audiences and cameras for more than 20 years. But to experience a career as a full-time speaker...that remains one of my foremost dreams.

Well, my friend was given another chance. I don’t know all of the details regarding his health challenges, but between the grace of God and the hospital staff, he was made well and eventually regained his health. And do you know one of the first things he did? That’s right, he made some changes, refocused his priorities, and began to step out and pursue the true desire of his heart.

He never wanted to experience the feeling of regret again.

Neither do I.

So…several years after of placing my dream on the shelf, I found myself at least thinking much more about my desire to speak professionally. I even pulled out a couple of my favorite books on the topic. I admit it’s not a giant leap forward, but it’s a start…and sometimes that’s all it takes, right?

HOW ABOUT YOU? 
What are some of those deep-seated desires in your life? What are those things you think about at night while lying in bed? We all have them. I also believe each one of us has the courage and faith to attain them. It’s simply a matter of taking that first step. We all know that life is short and that our time on this earth is limited, but nothing seems to remind us of that fact like the unfortunate occurrences of health challenges, devastating storms, or unexpected accidents, etc. Why does it always seem to take one of these adverse calamities to pull ourselves out of our daily, mindless routine and reconsider the path we are on and what is most important to us and to our families? 

God has placed special gifts, talents, and yes, specific dreams inside each one of us; things He knows not only will define who we are, but also help us reach our full potential in life. Everyone has things they want to do, and one person’s dream is no more important or spiritual than anyone else’s. It’s not about judging the dream; it’s about the effort made to attain it! I don’t think God wants us to set our gifts, talents, and dreams on the shelf and never look at them again because we are so busy. We do nothing but limit ourselves if we do. Consider the following scriptures:

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4 NKJV)

The Lord…delights in every detail of their lives. Though they may stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. (Psalm 37:23-24 NLT)

You may have some reservations about moving forward, but never forget that you are not alone. God will always be there, holding your hand and guiding your steps. He does care about the details of your life!

STEPPING OUT
My friend got out of the hospital and decided life was too short to sit in the bleachers and postpone his dream any longer. He counted the cost (Luke 14:28), took the necessary steps, and soon found himself behind the wheel of his very own race car. Not long after, he won his first race. His eyes swelled a bit as he told me it was a life-changing moment and something he will never forget for as long as he lives.

No regrets. That’s the way to live the life God has given you. But to do so, procrastination needs to be kicked to the curb! Life is a gift from God and we need to squeeze as much out of it as possible…and the sooner we begin, the better.

There is a Yiddish proverb that says, “A man is not old until his regrets take the place of his dreams.” I think the best way to prevent regret from creeping in (other than to never grow old!) is to constantly remind ourselves of those things we yearn to do or accomplish in life, and then take a step or two each day (even if they are baby steps) in an effort to move closer to the finish line. 

Thanks to my friend’s encouraging story, I took one of my own dreams down from the shelf, dusted it off, and started holding it again. It felt good. Where will I go from here? I’m not sure, but things are definitely stirring on the inside of me again. Who knows, maybe by this time next year, I’ll be speaking to you somehow instead of writing :)

“It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else. ”
― Erma Bombeck

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
― C.S. Lewis SHARE YOUR DREAMS 
What has the Lord planted in your heart? Is there something you believe He wants you to do or accomplish in this new year? Are there any dreams that you have already fulfilled? Any others you are working on? We have set up a special section on the cfaith Facebook page for you to share your dreams and aspirations with others. Check it out today! You can post your own message and also read about what others are doing to fulfill their dreams :)

As we look ahead to a new year full of promise and potential, I encourage you to consider the path you are on and make any changes you feel are important or necessary in your life. It’s time to get off the sideline and into the game, and today is a perfect day to begin! 

THANK YOU
The effectiveness of our ministry outreach would not be possible without your ongoing prayers and generous support. So thank you for standing with us and for supporting the worldwide ministry efforts of cfaith. Together we are making a difference and touching hearts in more than200 countries every month!

As we look forward to 2013, I encourage you to dream big and run your race in such a way that you will obtain the prize God has for you! (1 Cor. 9:24).

Let's lay hold of our dreams together,

Jeff Litfin
cfaith


P.S. You can still give to our SHAREcfaith 2013 pledge drive. Please consider setting up a monthly (recurring) donation or making a one-time gift. Your support will help us share cfaith with others throughout 2013! (To give, simply click the "Donate Now" button on the left.) 

quotes & scriptures 

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it."
- 1 Cor. 9:24 NKJV

"Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night."
- Edgar Allan Poe

"Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically."
- Romans 12:11 NLT"Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson 


"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."
- Phil. 4:13 NLT 
"No person has the right to rain on your dreams."
- Martin Luther King, Jr. 

"For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
- Eph. 2:10 NLT

"If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse."
- Walt Disney 

"The Lord will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you."
- Deut. 28:8 NKJV

"My dad used to say that living with regrets was like driving a car that only moved in reverse."
- Jodi Picoult 


"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead."
- Phil. 3:13 NKJV

"There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."
- Paulo Coelho

"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."
- Eccl. 9:10 NIV

"Dreams, if they're any good, are always a little bit crazy."
- Ray Charles 

"The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’"
- Psalm 32:8

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
- Eleanor Roosevelt

"Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."
- Eph. 6:7 NLT

"The mistakes I've made are dead to me. But I can't take back the things I never did."
- Jonathan Safran Foer 


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