In my work, I have the opportunity to see the dreams and visions that the Lord has given many of His children. It is my privilege to pray alongside of them as they hope to see these things come to pass.

One of the difficulties for them, is when others in the body fail to understand what God has laid on their heart to do, and discourage them from reaching their goals. This comes in many ways. For some, it is a parent who tells them that their idea will not be worth the investment. For others, it is the need for others to join them in a God-sized vision, only to be repeatedly told that what they are attempting cannot be accomplished.

As a body, we often get jealous of those whom we believe are closer to God than we are. We look at them and say, "Wow, I wish I was where they are." Simultaneously, we do nothing to draw more intimately into His presence. We forge ahead as if our plan is the only one worth pursuing. The problem is...it is our plan, not God's.

I sat across from a young lady yesterday who is desperately seeking after the Lord's will for her life. She knows what the next step is, but is confronted by parents who want no part of her pursuit, and are doing their best to make her attempts at obedience, more difficult. She is of age, and does not need their consent. However, she respects them and wants to be faithful to her authority structure.

Often times, fear is the culprit. Fear allows a wedge to finds its way into the void between a dream and the culmination of it. Many a dream has been dampened and unable to take flight because of a "brother" or "sister" who found their significance in meddling in the details.

I recently heard from another lady who has very specific direction from the Lord. She knows what country she is supposed to go to. She knows what village within that country. She knows the specific people group within the settlement. She is struggling to find missionaries who will assist her in her direction.

What she is to undertake is dangerous and requires research. One contact is understandably trying to tug back on the reins and assure she realizes the levity of what she is trying to accomplish. Often in these situations, the desire from the dreamer seems to compensate for lack of knowledge about details, leaving the dreamer looking like they have no idea what they are doing.

While this can be partially true, no dream forged by our King within the hearts of men and women are attained without enduring the pangs of the birth canal.

There is a fine line between assisting someone in pursuing their dream, and trudging on it with steel shanked boots. It can be difficult to discern what helps and what releases the steam of productivity.

Prayer is the key. We must pursue dreams with much prayer. As a cog in the mechanics of anothers' dream, we must consistently pray. Both for them, and for the realization of their goal.

It is extremely important that we as "brothers" and "sisters" provide encouragement. It is equally important that we do so from a position of prayer. Most dreams are short-lived and flame out in the early stages. Helping another cultivate a dream is lofty work. We do not want to take over. We do not want to provide advice that contributes to increased difficulty, yet we want to be realistic about the issues involved.

Each of us will benefit from the increased time spent in prayer...both listening and speaking. The Lord will use us in the lives of others if we are consistently faithful. Sometimes, the death of a vision comes because it is the right thing. We simply cannot assume that we know best and impose our own ideas and agendas onto the one with vision. If they turn to you, it is because they have good reason.

Prayerfully consider your responses, then give them. Don't jump the gun by offering your own dreams at this juncture...that kind of timing is seldom right.

He is the giver of dreams. What is yours? What is being done to make it a reality?

dad