Fulfilling Your Dream, on the Way to Fulfilling Your Purpose
Why doing both is so important
by Elder Robert Warring
“And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”(Romans 12:2 AMP)
OK, I’ll admit it. I’ve been guilty of it in the past. You may be asking yourself, “Guilty of what?” Well, in the past, I’ve been guilty
of limiting myself, in terms of what I could and couldn’t do and have; especially concerning God’s will for my life – “that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” I was a victim of my own inner vows, as well as what others had spoken over me. Whenever I was given more than one assignment to accomplish, or whenever I had dreams and goals that I wanted to accomplish, I would quickly say, “I’m not good at multitasking!” or I can’t multitask!” I am pretty sure that this was a result of something that was said during my childhood. In school we would taunt and people, and I have even been taunted and teased with the same words, by others. Those words were, “You can’t walk and chew gum at the same time!”
As an adult, I had to divorce myself from such divisive and destructive speech. That’s because that’s what “this world” says. If I was going to fulfill my dreams on the way to fulfilling purpose, I could no longer be confined, conformed, and confused by to this world, nor to its counsel, culture and its customs! I needed a course correction. I had to make a change. I needed to be transformed by “the renewing of” my mind. One of the things that helped me, is including the above Bible verse in my daily prayer, and also adding to it, “So that I can discover, and diligently, passionately pursue Your plans, will, and purpose for my life.” Although this made a major difference, it was only one of the many facets or keys to finding out how to fulfill my dreams, on the way to fulfilling purpose.
Another facet was discovering that my Heavenly Father’s plans for me, were for my good and His Glory. Jeremiah 29:11 in The Message reads, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” This counsel from Him, gave and continues to give me comfort and confidence that I can accomplish my dreams and fulfill His purpose for my life. Fulfilling dreams, while on the way to fulfilling purpose requires a process and a pattern – both of which can be found in the Presence of God. Moses was assigned to build a tabernacle for God. This required a pattern. The pattern was given to him by God, in His Presence on Mount Sinai (see Exodus 25:37).
I believe that the simplest way to be successful in having God assist us in fulfilling our dreams, while on the way to fulfilling our purpose, is by making sure that He delights in our dreams and purpose. Psalm 37:4 reads, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” Unfortunately, some believe that if we delight in The Lord, He will give them the desires of their heart – their wildest dreams! The fact of the matter is that when we really delight in The Lord, He will tell us what He delights in and desires, and we will then, delight in what He desires, and those delights and desires will be delivered to us.
We see this more clearly in Proverbs 16:3, which reads, “Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” This takes maturity, and most of all, love. The level of love we have for someone can be seen in how much we’re willing to sacrifice our will and desires, for the satisfaction of and success of their will and desires – submitting our delight and desires to them, and accepting what their delights and desires are. That’s love!
So, here are some prerequisites to fulfilling our dreams, while fulfilling purpose:
1. Be transformed and progressively changed by the renewing of our minds.
2. Recognize that God’s thoughts and plans – His dreams and desires for us are much bigger and better, and are way beyond anything we could ask for, or even imagine or dare to dream!
3. Remember that fulfilling dreams, while fulfilling purpose requires a process and a pattern that can only be found in His Presence.
4. Realize that a simple strategy for success in having God assist us in fulfilling our dreams, while fulfilling our purpose, is by making sure that He delights in our dreams and purpose. When we want what He wants, He’s delighted and willing to give us what we want!
Hopefully, this will help you. It may also be a good idea to use the Bible verses referenced, as well as some other supporting ones, to develop a personal prayer for fulfilling your dreams, while fulfilling your purpose. May God richly bless you, and do exceedingly, abundantly above all that you imagine and ask!
