How many times have you wanted something so much that the object of your longing almost never leaves the forefront of your consciousness? There’s probably a continuum of desire, with a few times and seasons in life where something prominently emerges as very highly hoped for. In this season of my life, a desire of being settled in a hoped for future home in Edinburgh, Scotland, is never far from my thoughts and dreams. You may have something like that in your life as well.
If you look back over your shoulder, you probably see a mixed bag of hopes and dreams fulfilled and lots of loss and disappointment—even heartache. I’d like to suggest that the way we interpret the past has a huge influence on the way we carry our current hopes and dreams. How do you see God as having been present and active in the highs and lows of your past? Have you been able to discern any meaning and hope in even the bitterest disappointments and heartaches? Who do you attribute the dreams and hopes fulfilled to?
Let me give a personal example. I don’t remember having prayed to get this job, but I had really hoped I would get it. It was my second “real” job after college, and I was in a position way beyond my comfort and capabilities. God used the challenges I faced to draw me to himself. I felt desperate, and I cried out to God for help. And he not only gave me help, he gave me himself as well! In retrospect, I see that God opened the door to this job to open my heart to him—through a path I would have never chosen if I had known how hard it would be! So I interpret current challenges in light of experiences of God’s past faithfulness.
What about you? If you’ve never done this, take some time to reflect on a current or past challenging situation or relationship and ask God to show you what he is (was) up to in allowing you to go through such sadness and heartache. You may discover—like Joseph—that what others may have intended for evil, God always intends for good (see Genesis 50, particularly verse 20).
After some prayerful reflection on the above questions, why not spend some time talking honestly with God about whatever is on your heart right now? Let him know your hopes and dreams, your fears and concerns. While he may not give you everything you ask for, he always has your best interests at heart. Always!
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. Revelation 3:7 (NIV, emphasis added)
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If you enjoyed this practice, you may also want to explore Shut door, Open door.
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How could you stir in The Secret Sauce of Vulnerable Community into your experience of this practice, guide, or resource? Consider the following questions & invitations:
God created you to experience his love and healing in community. It takes courage to walk vulnerably with others, yet it’s so essential to foster the abundant life God intends for you. Please check out our ***Secret Sauce Guide*** to finding and fostering vulnerable community for ideas and resources!
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Cover photo by Jan Tinneberg on Unsplash.
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<aside> 💭 © 2024-2026 Stewart (Stu) Lynch. All rights reserved.
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