This book was EXACTLY what I needed to read/hear right now. I feel like I'm at such crossroads in my life... feeling lost, confused, and scared... and the Lord used this book to speak to my heart.
Wilkinson's book is in two parts. In Part I, he tells "The Parable of the Dream Giver" -- this is a wonderful parable. Part II is "The Journey to Your Big Dream." He posits that every person has a Big Dream that God places in his/her heart (often referred to as one's calling). He speaks to the various stages (including the different types of obstacles) of the journey toward fulfilling that Dream. The book has A LOT in it. It is filled with deep meaning, but is structured in a simple manner.
While I still have much to think about and consider after reading this book, I feel like I already have a better understanding of my journey. I still cannot clearly state what my Big Dream is, but it is beginning to come into better focus.
We must first recognize what our Big Dream is. Once we decide to pursue it, we are faced with a struggle (with ourselves) to move out of our Comfort Zone. However, there are plenty of other obstacles that we will face along the journey.
One of the parts of the book that really touched me was that it is often the people that are closest to us that may question or oppose our decision to pursue our Dream. I have definitely experienced this. But I now have a different perspective and better understanding about where this opposition is coming from.
The part of the book that really touched me was about the WasteLand, where "we encounter a series of unexpected trials that never seem to end. No one prepared us for this. Delays and setbacks drag on. Soon, disappointment sets in. Eventually we begin to think we should abandon our Dream" (p. 116). However, the "WasteLand happens for a good and important reason: It is an invaluable season of preparation. It is the place where God transforms you into the person who can do your Dream" (p. 117). The WasteLand is a place where your faith is tested. "When God seems absent and everything is going wrong, will you still trust God enough to patiently allow Him to prepare you for what's ahead?" (p. 119). This bold question pierced my soul. I have often prayed that God make me into the person I am meant to be, so that I can do what He calls me to do. I guess I never imagined that such tests and suffering could result from such a prayer.
In the book, there are Giants that will stand in your way and try to prevent you from fulfilling your Big Dream. "A Giant is a very real and completely overwhelming obstacle you encounter on the road to your Dream. Overcoming a Giant requires you to use everything you've learned so far on the journey to your Dream...[and] you will need God's power ot overcome a Giant" (p. 139). I know that Migraine is one of my Giants, and that it will take my complete trust in the Lord to overcome - and I'm working on that.
I still do not know what the Lord has in store for me, and I do not know what He will use these current trials and suffering for. But I trust that He has something wonderful in store for me, and that gives me some peace.
Wilkinson, B. (2003). The dream giver. Oregon: Multnomah Publishers.
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