Rise, take courage, and do it. (Ezra 4:10)

Where are you hovering right now? What is your typical discontent?

My common unstudied thought in my early thirties was, I wish I would have… but now I am too old.

Someone unexpectedly strengthened me. I went to college in my late thirties and became a teacher.

God inspired me using inspiring speakers. I visited Haiti, Peru, and finally moved to India in my mid-forties.

Awareness of my circumstances curiously counseled me. I went back to school for a degree in psychology in my early fifties.

God has instilled dreams in my heart, above and beyond my imagination, now in the sixth decade of my life. I still have breath, I can still dream.

I am no different from you. I have the same unsteady baggage from the past, insecurities about myself physically and intellectually, financial strain, and the life-infused hardships of daily living.

Sometimes – I still stress eat… sit when I should walk… watch videos when I should read God’s word and pray… yell at my son… buy what I don’t need… you can fill in the blank with your own personal journey.

It’s still January! There is still time to set new goals, to challenge yourself, to do what you have only dreamed of. Honestly… living your dreams doesn’t have to begin in January. Any day is a new day to start all over.

But wait… I don’t know how to do that! I don’t have those skills. I am not sure if God wants me to do that. There is so much going on right now! And the big question? What if I fail? It takes courage to pursue any step.

You may have started and stopped. Tried, and failed. But defeated, never!

Before you move forward on your passion and dream for the world, are you?

• Anxiously waiting for the world crisis to end? It’s not happening. However, you can improve the world by the contribution you make with your time, talent, and dream. There is invariably hope.
• Languishing first for a long-lost relative to leave you loads of loot? Sadly, that probably won’t happen either.
• Are you waiting for the kids to graduate from high school or college?
• Eager for the bills to be paid first?

Counting on??

I know, you believe if God wants you to do something specific, He will send someone to suggest you take a specific path. That has only happened once to me in my life. I thought their suggestion was insane! Turns out, it was what God wanted me to do.

You might think God will unexpectedly send down lightning, powerfully speak to you through a burning bush, or meticulously write the plan on the wall. Some days, I wish the answers were that clear! If any of those things happened, though, I would go hide in a closet! If God spoke in that magnitude, I know that I would have to listen and obey!

God whispers to us quietly. You have heard him speak.

Close your eyes…

Rested by the ocean, a gentle breeze blows and a ripple wave flows across the sand.

Meandering through the woods, a fragrance of pine, a flutter of a butterfly, or a flicker of light silently sprays through the trees.

A stranger walks up to you, expresses a smile and a kind word.

A newscast or Facebook posting causes tears to trickle down your face and something stirs your heart to make a difference

God is speaking to you.

Sometimes, He just uses His word to reach you.

My Sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; (John 10:27).

So then, faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).

Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3).

It’s time for you to be brave… arise… take courage… and go for the dream that God put on your heart. You are never too old. Remember 5 d’s moving on:

Discernment – realistic in your eyes but unimaginable in God’s eyes – judge well.

Desire – wishing for a change.

Determination – above and beyond the barriers.

Discipline – work hard for the dream.

Delight – joy in what you are doing.