Maneuvers - No. 71
Barren No More:
Don’t Hold Back
Have you ever felt as though the world was trying to keep you small, friend? Like they were trying to fit you and even your faith into a mold?
As long as our God-given passions and dreams don’t infringe on what the world says is acceptable and good, we can get by without an issue.
But Jesus can’t fit into the world’s box. (The Pharisees figured that out fairly quickly, didn’t they?) And because he lives within us, we can’t fit into the world’s mold, either.
Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (ESV).
The world may tell us:
• Your dream hasn’t happened yet. What makes you think it ever will?
• Think of all the times you failed. You’ll probably fail this time, too.
• Nothing ever goes your way. Why would it start now?
• You can’t do this–it’s too big.
• This is crazy… people will laugh at you.
But Holy Spirit is inviting us today to dream with him in a way that isn’t confined by fear of what the world thinks. He’s asking us to let our guard down and simply let our hearts imagine what could be possible.
It’s okay if that scares us a little. Dreaming with Jesus isn’t meant to be small, safe, and confined. It’s meant to open doors to the impossible things God wants to do in us and through us–with him.
No more holding back. Come, friend, and join us as we take this next step with Jesus.
01.
The Message
“Do not be discouraged now. You are doing okay. Hold up your head. Stand up now. Open your hands. Breathe.
“This air, this ground, this place–everything you see I will redeem. All will be made new. I am making all things new–like I dreamed.
“Will you dream with me now? Can I help you to dream the way you are made to dream? Use your heart now–let me touch it, let me mold it, shape it, grow it. Be encouraged as we dream together. Be encouraged as I whisper my heart into your ear.
“Do you hear me? Listen to your heart now, speaking–let me help translate it for you: you are loved, you are loved, you are loved, with all my heart, by me.
“In this place of love, you are free to dream. In this place of love, you are ... free. In this place of love, let me heal in you the hurt places, the raw places, the ache of loneliness, the sharp sword of fear.
“For I am your defender. I am your champion. I am your resting place. I am the granter of dreams. So dream the dreams I give you to dream. Dream and do not hold back. You can trust in me. Can you believe I have good for you? Can you believe I am not finished yet–not with this world, not with all that I have planned?
“You have been rescued. I made sure of that. Accept the rescue mission–how I came for you. Grab my hand now. Be mine, be saved, and dream with me. Watch me redeem you.
“Son, daughter, dream, dream, dream.”
02.
Listen
Set a timer for one minute and reflect on what we just read. What part did you most need to hear today? Feel free to take your time as you journal your response to the Lord.
03.
Think
“‘Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud … Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes” (Isaiah 54:1a-2, ESV).
1. Where in your life do you feel barren or hopeless? What dreams feel too impossible or far away?
2. What past experiences taught you to limit your dreams? What specific fears or lies replay in your mind on a regular basis?
3. Read Isaiah 54:1-2 again. What words stand out to you the most? How is Holy Spirit speaking to you through this passage right now?
04.
Trust
Sometimes it’s hard to identify the dreams God wants to place in our hearts because they’re so tangled up in limiting beliefs (or outright lies).
So today, let’s unearth some of those dreams together with a simple journaling exercise. Before we begin, let’s prepare our hearts and minds by finding a quiet place where we can reflect and write peacefully. Now, let’s take a deep breath in for a count of four… hold it for a count of four… and breathe out slowly for a count of four. And let’s do that whole sequence two more times.
Now let’s look back at our answer to Question 2 above. What limitations and lies did we write down? (Are there any others you would add right now?) Let’s close our eyes and imagine those limitations as large stones standing in our way. They’re too heavy to lift on our own.
Then Jesus walks up. He begins picking up these huge stones one by one and moving them out of our way. Soon, they’re all gone–not a single one is left.
With the path now cleared, what do we see in front of us? If we’re not sure, let’s try asking ourselves, What do I want to see God do in me and my character? What do I want to accomplish with him? How do I want to see him move in others?
Our list could contain areas where we want freedom (e.g., “To live completely free from emotional eating”) or salvations we’re praying for (e.g., “To see my daughter walk in all God has for her and enjoy his love”) or adventures we long to go on with God (e.g., “To open a community center where underprivileged children can receive free tutoring and learn about Jesus”).
These dreams could be as big or as small as we want–whatever is burning in our hearts. And our list can be as long or as short as we want. The point is simply writing them down… and freeing ourselves to dream.
And now let’s close in prayer…
05.
Pray
Father, thank you that, in you, there are no limits, no barriers. You love to do the impossible!
Thank you also for showing me the ways I’ve been limiting myself with my own attitudes and beliefs. I surrender each lie to you. Replace it with truth. Fill me with child-like faith so I can dream with you and not hold back. I want to dream with you.
I love you, Lord. I know you have big things for me–good and beautiful things. Teach me to walk in them.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
