It’s common sense, right? The role of a leader is to lead. That means that you have to be out front…..taking the first step…setting the example….stepping into the unknown.
I don’t know about you, but I have big dreams. I have dreams for myself- habits that I want to create and some that I want to break. I have dreams for my kids. I think about and pray over their futures. I worry about the choices that we make today and how the affects are going to ripple into their future. I have dreams for my family- goals to accomplish, trips to take, and memories to create. We certainly have big dreams for our church and our youth. BIG DREAMS. CRAZY DREAMS. GOD DREAMS. Dreams that I believe are going to come to pass. Dreams that I have faith are happening sooner rather than later.
What does it take for these dreams to become a reality? The life you want and the plans that you have are not just going to fall into your lap. We have to pray like crazy and have a plan. We have to make a decision to send ourselves in the direction that we want to go. It doesn’t usually happen with one single decision, but a series of right decisions and staying faithful to your goals can change a person’s direction in life.
What does your vision involve? What are you doing to nurture those dreams?
The way you want to see your kids going after God– Are you going after Him that much more? Are you giving them the privilege of watching you have prayer and devotion time? Don’t hide away and seclude yourself for prayer and devotion. Involve them. Include them in your devotions- set the example on having intimate time with God. Otis and I have made a point the last month or so to pray together every day. We have missed some days, but I am still thankful for the times that we have prayed. It is a work in progress- a habit that we are still nurturing. We started off going in our room- we would talk for a few minutes and then pray over each other. We don’t necessarily shut ourselves in our room anymore. We might pray at the table or in the kitchen, but we are praying right in the presence of our kids. They are going to remember their parents praying together- praying through hard times and praying for healing.
I have written Facebook posts before about how much I love the Bible app on my phone. It is so convenient. However, what legacy is that leaving for my kids. They don’t know if I am on social media, playing games, mindlessly scrolling through texts or reading my Bible. All they see is mommy on her phone. Be intentional with the example that you are setting- nurture your vision for the future.
If you aren’t willing to set that example, then how can you expect your kids/family/church to ever reach the goals and dreams for the future. Lead by example. Sometimes that can be super scary- Stepping out in faith. Sometimes it can be discouraging when God’s timing doesn’t line up with our timing. We often think that we have everything all figured out and we just know that God is on the same page as us. Haven’t we learned over the years that His timing is always perfect? There is a line in a song that plays on Christian radio that says “to you my future is a memory”- try wrapping your mind around that. God knows us. He knows our dreams and He knows our fears. He has wired each of us uniquely with the passions that we possess for a distinct purpose. I do believe that our time on this earth is coming to an end- I pray that my actions are pleasing to God. I pray that I am having an eternal effect on those around me. I pray that the affects of my actions/service/decisions are having a ripple effect and impacting those farther than I could ever imagine for Christ’s kingdom.
As we witness one year coming to an end and another right before us that is full of endless possibilities, I challenge myself and anyone else reading this to re-evaluate your plans. What steps are you taking to nurture your vision? God has big things in store- don’t miss out. I want to be right in the midst of it all. May 2015 be the best year ever- growth, not only in quantity but more importantly in quality. I pray everyday that God will continue to give us crazy big dreams. I have a vision of my kids and our youth not holding back in worship. Going after God with every ounce of their being. How are they going to step into that vision if we aren’t going to lead them that way?

Be bold this year….I dare you.

Proverbs 16:3(ESV)- “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”