Dreams, desires and what God actually gives you

For a very long time I’ve had a hypothesis about the verse “God gives you the desires of your heart.” Though I had heard it used many times as a way of reassuring a loved one ( You want a baby, a new job, a trip to Mexico’s? Well, course God wants bless you that way! Trust God!”) Though we should trust God and actively talk these things over with him (because no one cares to hear about it as much as he does), I think it actually a gross misunderstanding to interpret things this way. A well meaning interpretation, but a rather childlike one.

What I think it really means is much less centered around what God will do for me, and more grounded in what we will do, and do most extraordinarily, for God.

The things you love and want to participate in? There’s not meant to be handed to you any more than any parents is meant to hand things directly to their child when they haven’t earned it.

It is rather, that your destiny is both intrinsically tied to what you desire and will ultimately be expressed through your participation.

It is not about gifts from God; it’s about using your gifts for God.

The things that get you excited, engaged, and passionate? Those are the places you need to lean into.

It doesn’t mean waiting around for a package delivery from Fedex, UPS, or Heaven itself that will give you what you’ve always wanted. It means you that you’re meant to spend time pursuing those things, expressing your God-given talents, and sharing what comes from them as you follow that pursuit. It’s a present that is unfolding in your life all around you.

It means an active participation in the areas that excite you, that then enables those dreams to be realized in your lifetime.

It’s not never, it’s not yesterday or even right now. It’s always. It is work in progress. If you are alive, it is still both possible and important. Wherever we find ourselves on the life trajectory, it’s not too late to pause the unintended or unplanned orbit, and lean into the places and causes that make our heart skip a beat or two.

That’s the sweet spot. The sweet spot for which we were created. Don’t downplay it. Don’t compare. This is not a multiple choice or a paint by number. This is uniquely you.

There is neither sacred or secular, either. Foster care and painting, politics and pastoring, dog training and human teaching. They all have a place, alike, and not one is more important or meaningful than another. If it’s in you, it’s needed. God literally gave you the desires of your heart. It takes all kinds, all calling, to bring about the immense purpose of God in the world. Your piece in that puzzle matters. Our dreams are not by accident. They are placed in our hearts, directly related to where and why we need to spend out time, love, and resources.

Tell me, what are you bravely going to pursue, knowing that God has already given you those desires. Not because he’s waiting to gift you with them in reality, but because he’s waiting to see what you will do to make them happen.

Follow that. It’s a trail to your destiny.