Halfway to a Dream

Acts 2:17 (NRSV) 'In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.

In 26 weeks a dream, of sorts, will come true. In one half a year, I will be running a half marathon. 13.1 miles of the Pilgrim Pacer Half Marathon in Lenexa, KS. I've learned a number of things about dreaming dreams in the last 7 months that I've been in training for this. It's been a spiritual journey for me as much as a physical one. I'd like to share some of my insights with you:

• Dreams are sent by God: Now I'm not sure that God has called me to run a half marathon. I do however, have a deep and abiding sense that God has called me to make a change in the way I was living my life. I was 240 lbs. I would get out of breath walking up the stairs at church. My blood pressure was high and my cholesterol was out of control. In my prayer life God spoke to my heart and told me it was time to get in shape. It came at an opportune time for me. God provided the impetus I needed to make it happen.



• Dreams are God Meant: God sends us dreams and visions for the future for God's own purposes, not ours. Too often people say things like "I just know that God is calling me to make a whole lot of money in the oil business. 'cause God wants me to be happy." Bull! If the dream you're dreaming is God's dream, it won't be about making you happy. It will be about continuing the work that Christ began on Earth and wants to work through you. Let me be clear, though, nothing (NOTHING) is more satisfying than doing what God has called you to do. Nothing! However, it is the type of satisfaction that you the happiest person in the world.



• Dreams Hurt: If it's God sent, it might not feel so good as it stretches you to go places and do things that aren't normal for you. When I first began running it was my side and my lungs. Then it became my right foot (plantar faciitis.) Then a hip flexor. (Psoas Major/Iliacus) Right now it's the side of my hip, where the obliques connect to the high bone on the hips. I'm still too heavy and it puts a lot of pressure on that part of my body. But then my suffering to be able to be a healthy witness for Christ is nothing like this.