Everyone needs a good dream. A dream that lights you up inside and makes you want to jump out of bed each morning with excitement. To me, a dream is more than just a goal. Goals are good. They are the small landmarks along the way that help us reach our destination. But dreams? They are the destination.
A good dream builds you, empowers you, and molds you into a truer disciple of Christ while simultaneously helping you reach outward, beyond yourself to bless those around you. Dreams can be small or large or somewhere in-between. They might bless your family, your community, or even the world at large. But they are all important. Because God delights in the growth of His children.
I was pondering on this thought a few mornings ago as I washed the breakfast dishes when my sweet little 3-year-old daughter bounced into the kitchen and announced: “Mommy, I’m going on an adventure!”
I gazed down at her enthusiasm and asked, “You are?”
“Yes. I’m all ready! I have everything I need!”
She held up her sparkly light-up purse filled with “necklaces, toys, and snacks.” And with that, she was off to happily pursue her special make believe adventure. I smiled to myself. We all need an adventure. Following our dreams as an adventurous quest puts a sparkle in our eyes and a lightness to our step. Yes, we all need a good dream.
Where are you in regards to following your dreams? You may already be pursuing a bold quest to make a difference in the world. Right now, this is where I am. I have a lofty vision for the near future and I am striving little by little to achieve it.
But there have been other times in my life when I haven’t felt so sure. Times when my progression slowed or even stopped—like I was standing on an isolated, flat plateau and had no idea how to get off. Or perhaps you’ve just completed an adventurous quest and are wondering what’s next. Have you ever been in a similar space?
What do you do when you’re stuck in a rut, or standing on a plateau, or at the end of a quest and don’t know where to even begin when it comes to finding your next dream?
You start right where you are, because “here” is all you have in the grand scheme of things. Bless this present moment—no matter how high or low you feel. Remember that feelings are temporary and they do not define who you are. You are a spirit child of God living in this mortal experience to grow and become. So let the emotions flow through you and accept where you are with open arms. Because this rut you stand in today will lead you to a mountain vista tomorrow.
Once you accept where you stand, glance around. Take in this “view from the valley.” Gaze off into the distance and observe your surroundings. Do you see perhaps a far-off mountain or nearby hill, beckoning you to climb its peak?
What does this look like in practical application? Kneel before your Maker and ask Him to give you a vision of your next mission to perform. Then be still and listen. Your answer may come in that moment, but maybe not. If it does, embrace it with open arms, write it down, and commit to take the steps necessary to achieve it.
But if not, stand up and live with a heightened awareness of the little things in your daily life. Because the Lord will send you a message through something as simple as a verse in your scripture study, a sunrise, a phone call, an article read, a chance conversation with a loved one, an act of service performed, a message from church, or just a simple idea that switches on like a light bulb.
Pay attention—for your petition is important to your Heavenly Father. He delights in giving His children a vision of what they can become and how they can personally make a difference in the lives of His other children throughout the world.
The scriptures say, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (D&C 88:63)
In my count, I found a similar admonition repeated more than 15 times throughout the scriptures. Truly, this exhortation is a sure promise we can believe.
In the words of Elder Jeffrey R Holland:
“God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe.” (This, the Greatest of All Dispensations, CES Fireside, September 12, 2004)
I believe this. I know He will answer. And when He does, it will be like a hilltop off in the distance lights up with a conduit from heaven, and deep down you just know that this adventure is the one for you.
