“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Prov 13:12 NASB
I was encouraged by this verse this morning as I reflected on my life at this moment. Two years ago I was traveling the west coast doing ministry. I so badly wanted my wife and children to experience the beauty of God’s creation I had witnessed. The landscapes, the people, the culture…it was all so beautiful and different. It expressed to me God’s nature for things unique and yet connected.
As I prayed I had a vision pass through my mind. I saw my family in an RV traveling the U.S., seeing these places, and serving Jesus together. I was never really certain if this was my idea or God’s but it was part of my heart at this point. I desired for my family to experience this part of God’s beauty.
I couldn’t remove this idea from my mind. I remember on multiple occasions crying out to God that my kids would grow up soon and I would miss my chance to show them, to make memories together with Jesus and our family. My description of this vision to my wife drummed up a bit of concern as she thought about ideas about selling our house, living on the road, raising a family without a place to call home. I admit I verbalize my thoughts occasionally and it can be scary from time-to-time because I like to dream big with God. But, my wife has done a great job learning when that is what I am doing, especially these past few years.
I reached a point where I stopped worrying about the dream and even thought maybe it was just my crazy adventurous idea. Almost to a point of not dwelling on it because “…hope deferred makes the heart sick (the NASB version of Prov 13:12).” Then, out of nowhere, in January God opened a door for us to travel to the Northwest, one of the specific areas God had put on my heart. I knew this was God. Shortly after, I started to see a plan for how my family could see more of the U.S. by taking our van and visiting some of these places I had been. We started planning a road trip in the van. Then one day, someone called and asked about the trip and told us we could use their brand new RV for the trip! Seriously, it was unsolicited and unexpected. Since then, God has provided financially, provided tow vehicles for transportation at these places, and has literally brought my dream to reality. At a campground a few days ago I was relaying to a young person I had met what my family was doing and she responded, “I hope I am rich enough to do that one day.” It was a great chance to share the truth of Christ. I am not rich! In fact, I have no ideas how we manage to pay our bills. The accounting just doesn’t work but, Jesus does. I have so many stories I could share. But the point is, I realized I was living something that most people think about but don’t dream about. I was traveling in ways most people can’t and be taken care of by a God in ways many people never know.
John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to kill, steal and destroy; I have come to give you an abundant life.” As I was reading in Proverbs this morning, I thought about my dream of two years ago. Then I thought about how God brought it about. I thought about John 10:10 and Psalms 37:4 and it just made me realize how good our father God is. He wants to take you on adventures in this life. He wants to share your dreams with you. Just like you want to fulfill your kid’s dreams he wants to fulfill yours! So, today, take time to dream with God and just share your heart with him. Then trust that he wants to fulfill your dreams. It may not be right away but, as you chase him and delight in him he can’t wait to bring joy to your heart by fulfilling your dreams.
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