I wanted to take two career paths when I was growing up- become a teacher or become a WNBA basketball star. I would have settled for either because in my eyes, both of them were ranked at the top of my list and nothing else in the world would be able to surpass those career paths.

I didn’t care how much money each one made, or the commitment required to reach either one of those career paths. Money and commitment didn’t matter when it was all make-believe. All I knew was how much I enjoyed “pretending” to be both.

Stuffed animals lined my bedroom with printable worksheets I would fill out myself (most answers were wrong on purpose so I could “grade” them), and I even created a make-shift projector out of a tissue box, lamp, mirror, and magnifying glass. Pretending to be a teacher was fulfilling and exciting!

On the other hand, put some music on my boom-box, a basketball in my hand, and an empty driveway under my feet, and I would turn into Diana Taurasi (who played for UCONN at the time before turning professional in 2004) for as long as my endurance would allow. Oh the joy of make-believe identities.

However, it is safe to say, I am neither a teacher nor am I in the WNBA – though both still hold a special place in my heart.

Since becoming an adult, I realized I also spent much of my earlier adult years being a Make-Believer – someone who would rather daydream or pretend about becoming someone or accomplishing something – instead of being a Dreamer – someone with dreams so big that without God, would be impossible to achieve. I let my insecurities dictate my passion, and my fears control my approach to life.

In fact, I was so intimidated by the idea of being a Dreamer that I was in constant battle against my spirit within me- daring me to take a step of faith with God. Pretending was easier. Safer. It didn’t require risks or failures or vulnerability. Being a Make-Believer was comfortable and with the experiences I had endured, it also meant no one would be able to reject or fail me.  

This journey of pursuing a life in the freedom in Jesus has opened up an entire new dimension of His infinite wisdom I have never known before – the ability of the impossible. The ability to stop fearing failure in a way that allows me to seize God-sized opportunity with power, passion, and partnership with His Spirit.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

For years I have been uncomfortable in my spirit around Christians who believe the purpose of life is to simply arrive safely at death. I don’t know why I get such an unsettling feeling in my soul, but I do. As odd as it may seem, I get so uncomfortable that I purposely try to avoid interactions. Oh how your purpose and my purpose are so much more than that! Jeremiah 29:11 is a brilliant reminder of God’s established plans for us, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Are we really settling to arrive safely at death without truly experiencing the perfect and pleasing Will of God in our lives?

The shift from being a Make-Believer to a Dreamer happened for me over the course of several years. A total transformation of my mind and approach to life had to occur by consistent time in the Word, daily honest prayer, and a commitment to living a life pleasing to the Father in the best way I knew how. I desperately needed the grace of Jesus to help keep me from being lured off His path and onto one that would destroy me and my future. Because let’s face it, becoming a Dreamer would have been much easier for me (and probably would have taken significantly less time) if I didn’t have a constant spiritual enemy lurking near my feet and attacking every aspect of my life.

The truth is, pretending to be who God created you to be, and becoming her are total opposite approaches to life and eternity. Is it intimidating to dream? Absolutely. As a Dreamer, you’ll take risks that won’t always pan out as you hope. You’ll face challenges you weren’t expecting. You’ll experience emotions you were not prepared to endure. You’ll even face failure.

But a pretend life is not a Spirit-led life, and if you want to experience this life with the impossible realities of the Holy Spirit, you have to be willing to let go of make-believe scenarios and identities, and begin taking hold of dreams bigger than yourself. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. Truthful, loving, and committed. He will guide you as you move, and be with you in every season along the way as He directs your steps in the way of the Lord.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

As a Dreamer, I still make sure I spend consistent time in the Word, pray honest prayers daily, and commit myself to living a life pleasing to my Father in the best way I know how. I rely solely on the grace of Jesus, and take risks that make me extremely uncomfortable (like writing my book for instance!). I dream dreams bigger than myself; dreams so big that I will fall flat on my face if the Lord doesn’t show up and show out in His glory. And the reality is, though it may sting sometimes watching a dream fizzle unexpectedly, I have never fallen flat on my face when I dream with Jesus because with Him, there is no failure. Whether I fall down or move forward, I am still protected in the glory of my Savior. Everything I do with Him is secured in Him and “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

My encouragement to you today is to reflect on your life and your approach to eternity. Are you living to arrive safely at death? Or are you ready and willing to do whatever it takes to go from being a Make-Believer to a Dreamer with Jesus?

Be blessed my friends!