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In Sunday Schdreaming bigool yesterday we were talking about what God has in store for us and how we don’t dream nearly as big as He does. And I admitted something that I hadn’t vocalized before. Most of the time, when I think about the big plans God has for me, I assume that I won’t really like them.
Like he’ll want to use me on the mission field in some far-off country where you can’t drink the water and people kill Christians. And he’ll use me to accomplish great things but in the meantime I’ll be really, really uncomfortable and wish I could just go home. Like earthly home with flushing toilets and soft-serve ice cream. Big like that.
And when I admitted that I suspect I won’t like the big things God has in store for me, I got quite a few nodding heads and murmurs of agreement.
When I dream big dreams about my writing career–reaching millions of people and sharing the message of God’s love–I tend to think there would be a catch. Yes, there would be perks–money, recognition, lots of warm fuzzies–but there would also be a price to pay. Loss of privacy, scrutiny, overwhelming responsibility, criticism.
And maybe there would be. I mean, we are this side of heaven. But why do I assume that God would give me my heart’s desire wrapped around a rock? Matthew 7 says, “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
God has big plans for each one of us. He has big plans for me. The only thing standing in the way is . . . me. I’ve asked God for many things and he’s given me quite a few of them. It’s time to stop worrying about what he might expect from me in return. He’s already told me what he expects–everything. And he wants that no matter what.
And, of course, he’s told me what he’ll give me–everything. And that will never change, either. And isn’t that the best news?