Whoever has stopped dreaming has started to die. No matter how old or young you are, never stop dreaming. Les Brown, motivational speaker and author, puts it this way, “You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” Dreams keep you energized, hopeful, and give you a reason to move forward and fight.
Martin Luther once said, “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.” We all have dreams. It may be for a better relationship with God, a better relationship with a family member, getting a better job, getting a better education, or maybe increasing your income. Walt Disney once said, “First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare.” The dreamers that have dared are the ones that have made a significant change in the world.
Ellen White said, “Many who are qualified to do excellent work accomplish little because they attempt little. Thousands pass through life as if they had no great object for which to live, no high standard to reach. One reason for this is the low estimate which they place upon themselves”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 498.
Why is it that so many of us never fulfill our dreams? What are your dreams? How can you achieve your dreams? I would like to share three steps to making your dreams become a reality.
Step 1: Make sure your dream comes from God.
A dreamer needs to learn that prayer is the main key to discovering their dream. The Bible says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”—Matthew 7:7, NIV. If you have a dream, ask God if that is the dream He has for you. Your dream must sync with God’s dream for you. If you miss this, you might still acquire what you call your dream, however, you will never have the satisfaction and the peace that comes only when you live under God’s dream for your life. So, make sure your dream comes from God.
Step 2: Begin now.
Time waits for no man and each minute counts. Do something every day that brings you closer to your dream. Be intentional. Do not give up on your dream just because it will take too much time to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway, and you will regret it. Begin now!
Step 3: Be willing to pay the price.
I concur with the retired general Colin Powell, who said, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” Most people with a dream give up before they even start, because of fear of failure. Remember that you block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith. The best example of someone who was willing to pay the price for His dream was Christ. Jesus, in His daily living, relied on God’s guidance. He did not waste time and was willing to pay the price to save us.
Sometimes life is about risking it all for a dream no one can see but you. Jesus did!
Dreams give people an incentive to live. Have you stopped dreaming? Can you dare to dream? Remember, make sure your dream comes from God; begin now and be willing to pay the price. I hope that your main dream will be to be with God for eternity.
Andrés J. Peralta is director for the Youth and Young Adult Ministries and the Pathfinder and Adventurer departments in the Atlantic Union Conference.