.When Your Dream Can't Compare.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” 

 H. Jackson Brown Jr.

My generation is fierce and passionate and hands-on. We see a problem, and we rise up to fix it. We are not content to sit on the sidelines and watch or do something the same way over and over, with no results, simply because that is how it has always been done before. We want to see change in our world, and we want to be part of that change - starting in our homes, families, churches, communities, and ultimately spreading into the world. We have big, vast dreams and the heart to push those dreams into fruition. The men and women in my generation are brave and bold and beautiful. We are potential just waiting to be splayed open.

My generation wants to make a difference, and we want our dreams to matter.

But we are also easily discouraged, because sometimes we get so bogged down in the size of our dreams. Sometimes we start comparing the size of our dream to the size of her dream, and the dream we once thought was so big and captivating and worthy seems so minuscule and pathetic and not enough. And it feels like we we are just a tiny drop in a huge ocean, and we can never make a difference. So sometimes my generation loses that passion, that fire, that persistence, and we retreat into the dark canopy of apathy. And while we are comparing our dream to hers and feeling defeated, we forget that we are being pursued by Jesus. We forget that the pursuit of Jesus is so much bigger then anything we could ever chase after. We forget that when we seek Him, our dreams, are His dreams. Even if it seems to pale in comparison to her dream, it is the perfect one that He has for you for right now. You are the only one that can accomplish that God-sized dream, it was created for you. Jesus is in you, and he wants to bring that dream to life through you in a unique way that He will not do with anyone else - because it is His dream for you.

So when we surf the internet and read about the huge things that they are doing for the Kingdom, when we watch our sisters publish books and lead women's conferences, and that family move to Haiti to share Jesus, or that Pastor shepherd the mega church, or we see the huge ministry that she started, and our hearts twist, just take a deep breath and stop comparing. It's not about the size of the dream, it is about the size of our God, who will manifest Himself in your dream. Be courageous, be brave, link arms, knowing that God uses it all for His Kingdom - the great, big dreams and the smaller ones. Embrace that unique, just for you, dream that has been planted in your heart. Don't question the size, don't compare it to theirs. Dig deep, there is a dream inside of you, you do not have to travel to find it, it is already there. Just be still and listen for it, for the dream that belongs to you and only you. Nobody else can do what Jesus is calling you to do. Because He has a role custom designed with you in mind, nobody else fits it like you do. Focus on your dream - the one that He is right now whispering into your heart. Don't focus on her dream or changing the whole world, that will lead to discouragement and an overwhelmed soul. He has not equipped you for their dream, He has perfectly equipped you for yours.

Your dream is what will make a difference. It matters. And it looks different than her dream and his dream and their dream. It looks like your dream, and together, following our individual dreams, we will make a difference. Break up with self-doubt, throw off comparison, squelch the jealousy, set down regret there are issues just waiting to be resolved, the Kingdom has a hole that only your dream can perfectly fit into. Settle in right where you are. You have everything you need to accomplish it, because in your weakness He is there - perfect and ready to use you.