Daring To Dream

5 posted on August 5, 2009

POSTED IN: Blog Posts, Creativity

Erwin McManus, one of my favorite authors, had this to say in his book Wide Awake:

Many of us are not on a path; we’re in a rut. We have confused comfort with peace, belief with faith, safety with wisdom, wealth with blessing, and existence with life.

Now what you have to ask yourself is this: am I willing to move from what I have to what I could create? Am I willing to give up what I know for what I don’t know? Do I keep shrinking back to the life I have because it’s the default mode for existence? Am I willing to risk everything I have to create the life I could have? This is the same tough choice that those who came before us and were marked by faith had to make.

Our dreams are one of the most valuable things we have as human beings. We start out in life with big dreams of who we can be (astronaut, cowboy, president) and then temper those dreams with reality as we grow older. We know that God has called us to do something extraordinary but eventually life beats the dreams out of us. We settle for simple dreams like making it through the week or paying off the loan on the car, hardly the kind of dreams that infuse us with passion and energy.

I love talking with people who still know and is chase after their God-sized dream. They’re inspiring to be around. They give you life and remind you that we really can accomplish far more than we think in our limited imaginations.

That’s why I’m so excited about something called DreamLabs by Erwin McManus and the amazing dreamers at Awaken. Watch this teaser video:

I’ve already registered to start a 12-person DreamLab here in Indy (local and interested? let me know if you’d like to join my DreamLab).

If you want information on hosting your own DreamLab in your area email dreamlab@awaken.org to request more information. (ht: BeDeviant for letting me know about this)

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at 9:00 am and is filed under Blog Posts, Creativity. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

6 Comments

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August 5, 2009

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1 John Richard said:

I’ll be honest with you, Brad, McManus’s writings have always been tough for me. I can appreciate the sentiment that God wants our lives to be extraordinary. But, if everyone were an astronaut, a cowboy, or the President, who would be the tax accountants, garbage collectors, or truck drivers? I’m not sure if life necessarily “beats the dreams out of us”, so much as it takes and refines them in the context of the society in which we live. I feel like the pervasive theme of “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” that permeates church culture rings hollow for many who have seen the brutal twists and turns that life makes. For some people, paying off the loan IS a God-sized dream.

Having said that, I think the DreamLab does sound very cool. Just adding some thoughts to the discussion.
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2 Brad Ruggles said:

John – You raise a very good point. Obviously the topic of dreams and living life to it’s fullest is something far to large to cover in a single post.

You’re right, we can’t all be doctors, lawyers and astronauts. Living out our dreams doesn’t necessarily mean having a “dream job.” I love Col. 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.”

And yes, paying off a car loan can be a God-sized goal for some people but I don’t think that’s the dream God is talking about when he says, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (Jer. 29:11)

I think many of us live far below our God-given potential. There’s no denying that life throws us curve balls and can deal some devastating blows. Living out your dream, however, lets you realize that these setbacks are temporary and are just another chapter in the story God is telling through your life.
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3 Stephen Bateman said:

I love how Erwin has such a big Latin personality, and loves to see potential.

I really wish they had a website, but I couldn’t find one.
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4 Sarah said:

I attended one of Paul Anderson’s “Dare to Dream” seminars in the Fall. It was really amazing, and I learned a lot about God’s nature in this area.

He defined a “dream”, or a God-given purpose, as something that reflects God’s heart for His people. So, while I might have the dream to visit Paris some day, that’s not necessarily a God-given dream or purpose (which still doesn’t make it wrong, but it’s not really a purpose or goal that God has created in me – it’s just an interest). However, travelling to Haiti and caring for orphans, for example, IS a dream, a God-given goal, because it is something that reflects the heart of God. That’s how I see it, and I understand that some might see it differently.

Thanks for this post. I really enjoyed the quote you shared at the beginning and feel a lot of those sentiments on my heart. It’s always good to have a reminder of what we’re trying to head towards. God bless.
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5 Shellie (baylormum) said:

Do I “dare to dream” at 52? Yes & no. My husband & I are in the middle of a huge decision about the next chapter in our “dream”. After living in the same town for 28 years & the same house for 20, we are looking at moving 1600 miles away. To Washington State. No family, no friends. It is scary. What is Your plan, God? I want to know now! I don’t like change, so I guess that makes me a “rut” person, to a degree. God only has the best waiting for me! Ok, climbing out of the rut to see over the top. Can’t know what’s ahead if I don’t. Thanks for making me think a little bit.
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August 6, 2009

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6 alece said:

this stirred in my heart a dream that’s been sitting there for a long time.

and i want to look into getting involved in a dreamlab…