Fulfilling God-Sized Dreams
February 20, 2007 |
I remember my husband saying to me one day, "It must be tiring to be you!" He was observing my intensity, and just watching me in action made him tired. Over the years, God has taught me that even though he wants us to make our moments count, what he doesn't want is for us to think that we can make life happen. The fact is, fallen humanity could not possibly accomplish anything of spiritual eternal value on its own. God's Word reminds us in Isaiah 64:6: "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away" (NIV). Jesus tells us in John 15:5-6: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (NIV).
When God entrusted me with the vision for Inspire Women, it was his way to teach me how to serve in his power. He knew that if the assignment was not big enough, I would think I could accomplish something on my own for God. So he made the assignment monumental. In other words, no one in her right mind would ever think she could part the Red Sea on her own! The vision of Inspire Women was to rally women across the city to inspire women of all ethnicities and economic levels to connect their lives with God's purpose. To put our treasure behind our words that affirmed the potential of God's daughters to change the world with the power of his Word, Inspire Women then funded scholarships and biblical resources to empower women to serve at their potential in missions and ministry. Since 2003, the ministry has invested over $1,000,000 to fund biblical resources and scholarships.
The vision began with an incessant intensity from God's heart pulsating to my heart with zero in the bank, no office space, and no human-designed plan to reach the goal. The vision was so super-human-sized that I was forced to go to God every day to ask for his marching orders. There was no question in my mind that God was the one making his vision come true, and I was an earthen vessel who was privileged to go along for the ride. If you are on God's mission, I pray the following principles will guide you in your life:
1. Don't be in a hurry. Trust God to prepare you before sending you in his name.
2. Feel God's pain and be captivated by the emotion that is driving God in his mission.
3. Visualize what life will look like when you are finished and begin celebrating your journey as part of the victory.
And when the vision is fulfilled, lay your gift at God's feet as your form of worship as a living sacrifice for his honor and glory!
Anita Grace Lie Carman is the
Posted by Amy Simpson on February 20, 2007
Comments
Great advice for the Type A personality. We need God-sized missions so we will be forced to take ourselves out of the picture.
Loved the 3 guiding principles too!
Posted by: Janna on February 20, 2007
I love it, I love it, I love it.
Today I led my group in a study on embracing God's vision. We mentioned some modern-day visionaries who have seen their vision to fruition. One of the ladies was unimpressed. I responded, of course it is unimpressive if the lady got involved for ego, money or selfish ambition, but if she got involved because the vision was from God himself, and if her vision is reaching out to help, teach, train or convert others, then it IS impressive and important.
I'm proud of you for seeing this through!
Posted by: Rosalie G on February 21, 2007
This article explains a unique and special component of God when we seek to serve in total submission. Number three caught my attention...to celebrate the journey. So often, I've missed the blessings because of wanting to reach the end result.
I would add that in those "waiting times" and unsure of "how it will all work out times" my prayer and Bible time increase until I have peace; also growing in faith during the journey.
I appreciate this article because I've been through it and hope to enjoy that special part of God once again in my life, God willing. Thank you for writing this inspirational article. I've been blessed.
Posted by: Connie on February 22, 2007
So true. Understanding the Alpha temperament a little too well, I have to remember the principle of taking things slowly is a wise measure. It gives you time to counsel with your team leaders, consult the collective mind, and wait a bit for everyone to feel definite direction from the Holy Spirit. Then you have to turn around and affirm them all and make sure they understand how God measures sucesss.
Posted by: PH on February 25, 2007
Your article has reignited my passion to continue on the long and arduous journey that God has placed before me. I could never fulfill what I know He has called me to do without falling before His Throne every single day. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Posted by: Meg on March 1, 2007
Thank you for your post. I am in a discerning period of life. At 52, I'm completing my undergrad to go to seminary. I hope to be a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Those principles you shared are good reminders. It's all about Christ and we lay it all at his feet.
Posted by: Ivy Gauvin on March 6, 2007
I've actually went through a long dilemma. There were times of panic that I was not achieving enough and that I could actually do so much more but I was not prepared for another long period of vainly striving to improve my circumstances.
This is the same lesson that I keep learning and relearning. In the past, I've seen God worked things miraculously in my life but I still cant still bring myself to trust Him fully... then He spoke to me and reminded me that He was a faithful Creator 1 Peter 4:19. I was overwhelmed!!! Just imagine He is the Creator and still He has to do some explaining to one of "His creatures". Yes, God is not obligated to explain as He had mentioned that He is the potter and we are His clay and He may do with us as He pleases but He cherish us so much that He actually speak comfort into our hearts by coaxing us to trust Him. We wont be afraid if we are confident in His unconditional love....He is such an amazing lover!!!
Posted by: millen on March 12, 2007