In life, its so easy to get caught up in the lack of. Whether its lack of control, time, strength, or money. Or perhaps more personally - lack of love, lack of obedience, lack of discernment, or wisdom. These things can be immediately overwhelming. Or if not, then like a small burden that continues to grow - like a bag of rice we can't put down and someone keeps adding a grain at a time, never ceasing - until the bag just becomes too unwieldy and frustrating to carry any more. In my own life, I feel struggles in many areas: lack of courage - standing up for the things I believe in. Lack of conviction - a compromise of what I know to be truth. Lack of love, lack of ability, and on and on. The easiest way to discern where our eyes are - either looking at our inadequacies, or fixed on God's ability, and willingness to do on our behalf - on his own behalf - the easiest way to tell where our hearts are focused is in response to these inadequacies. Do I find myself in mild despair and hopelessness, or do I find, in that very moment, an overflowing joy in the adequacy of God? God can do it. God will do it. Perhaps a person finds that God has placed in them a willing heart to serve him, yet, the call just seems to difficult or too lofty. Ministry? Not me. I mean, I'd like to please God in serving him, but I'm not capable of it - it's just not who I am. My character is too deeply flawed; I struggle with this sin or that; I'm not smart enough; people don't listen to me; my personal history tells me I fail when I try ... I find that there are two simple steps we can take that are very encouraging and effective. Firstly, sometimes we don't allow ourselves to dream because in our hearts, we inevitably know our dreams will never come true, that to hope, is to eventually have to give up hope - and where hope goes, despair sets in. Well, I've discovered that to just close the eyes, and answer the question, "what if there were no limitations?? what if there were no boundaries? what would life look like?" And to just take the leap - totally dream. And secondly, to then rejoice in the God who - "will do more than we can ask for or imagine." To know and stand firm in the knowledge in our hearts that God loves dreams, particularly dreams that are in line with his own heart. So, first we dream, then in the midst of the dream, God blesses us with the eyes to see that "hey, these things can come to pass! In fact, why wouldn't it happen?" Faith is the one thing that moves the hand of God, and it pleases him tremendously when we say, "without you God, there's no way, ever, this could happen. but with you God, because you said so, it's as good as done." And as we dream, and begin to believe, God will illuminate for us one step at a time to get to that place. It's his promise - "delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." God said so, its a done deal! Dream. At least once a week. The bible talks a lot of endurance and patience. So its important to keep dreaming, keep hoping, keep trusting. What the devil does is steal the seeds of hope and faith, and to replace them with hopelessness and doubt - its his character and mission. Showers are good for us and the people around us, but to shower infrequently (once a year?) is really not of much use, right? So dreaming about God's provision and faithfulness is great, and to nurture the attitude of hopefulness and knowing that God will provide every resource, every need, all grace in our lack - is truly food to the soul.