Dreams

^{What do you dream?  This is what Casey asked a group of us on Tuesday night, as we gathered in our living room for our Hillsong connect group.  We are mostly friends, some new aquaintances, but all people living, working, serving, and trying to daily love God.  Casey shared that recently God has been challenging him that he doesn't dream big enough, doesn't trust God enough, and even creates his own hindrances in accomplishing the dreams God created him to fulfill.  Casey read to us this scripture from Isaiah:}

¹ “Sing, barren woman,
   you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
   you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
   than of her who has a husband,”
            says the LORD.
² “Enlarge the place of your tent,
   stretch your tent curtains wide,
   do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
   strengthen your stakes.
³ For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
   your descendants will dispossess nations
   and settle in their desolate cities.   
⁴ “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame.
   Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
   and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
- Isaiah 54:1-4

We then shared our dreams together and what holds us back.  It was a simple idea and it turned into a beautiful and holy night.  People shared deeply from their hearts their hopes, and fears, and all that they dream.  Some of us are in the middle of seeing dreams fulfilled, some of us have dreams years away from beginning, some of us don't know our dreams, and even others are watching dreams fall apart.  In all of it, we are held together by a Holy and Good God who asks us to open ourselves up more, hoping and waiting for more, trusting that no dream is too big or impossible for our God.  It was a deep privilege to hear from the hearts of our friends, and a night that will not be forgotten.  I am thankful to dream, thankful that Casey and I dream together, and oh so thankful for a lively community where we can dream together.  Most of all, I am thankful for the Creator and Fulfillment of all my dreams, Jesus Christ.

Lots of love,
Sarah 

 "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."  -CS Lewis