I Am Dreaming

I am dreaming of a place where transformation really happens; a place where being transformed is a core purpose. A place where people becoming intimately acquainted with the Almighty, is a reality; a place that transformation into the likeness of Jesus, overflows from that growing intimacy. A place where no one is content to trek this transformation journey alone; a place where people are passionate about taking as many others along on that journey as they possibly can. A place that finds those people in their workplaces, in their schools, in the neighborhoods in which they live, and even in the neighborhoods they would never even dream of calling home; a place that leaves their place to tell others about Jesus and his transforming work in their lives.

I am dreaming of a place that not only helps believers to discover their God-given talents and abilities, but also provides those same believers with exploration opportunities before finally releasing them to use their gifts for Kingdom work. A place where age doesn’t matter; where it’s never too much of a bother to put an arm around a man, women, teen, or child and help them discover their talents.

I am dreaming of a place where people never find themselves too busy doing ministry to come alongside someone to help them discover the call God has placed on their life. A place where leaders excitedly take others under their wing, teaching them what they do, don’t do, and why; a place where leaders never think that taking the time to develop someone that could be tomorrow’s leader, is a waste of time.

I am dreaming of a place that understands that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders and that although, yes, you need to have an adult work with that student, it’s not a waste of time. A place that believes that developing leadership in today’s youth is not an interruption to their ministry but rather one of the purposes. A place that always remembers that the youth others might find a hassle to develop today, could be too busy to hassle with the church tomorrow; the church that their grandchildren might possibly attend.

I am dreaming of a place that understands taking time to develop upcoming leaders, whether they are adults or students, building relationships with them, challenging them on their spiritual journey, and consistently pointing them to Jesus is an investment in the church of tomorrow.

I am dreaming of a place where people never forget the wilderness in which God found them, where they never forget that without the men and women that invested into their lives, they wouldn’t be where they are; a place that that memory serves to keep them passionate about helping others find their Heavenly Father in wilderness, guiding them on their transformation journey, and then finally helping them discover and use their God-given talents.

Is it just a dream or can it be?

"i think u'll be good at it"

Sometimes all it takes is a few encouraging words.

Today it was just seven little words in a facebook message. A message from a crazy high school friend. The message was simple: "i think u'll be good at it."

Seven words typed after a brief facebook chat. Seven words that brought tears. Seven words said from one friend to another. Friends that live vastly different lives. Friends that have only seen each other once in 27 years. Seven words that were enough to put a little fight back in girl and make her believe that maybe, just maybe, she really is on that path that God has laid out for her.

Don’t ever assume that those around you have it all together and they don’t need your encouragement. Don’t ever think that they hear it from everyone else so you don’t need to bother. Don’t ever believe that you don’t have enough to offer. Don't ever think that just because you never see that facebook friend that you can't encourage them.

Don’t ever underestimate the power of an encouraging word or two (or seven).

Thanks Ed.