The Dream Giver

A friend of mine asked me tonight, "What is God doing in your life?"

I told him, "I feel that God is reframing the way I see myself and my vocation. I came into seminary with academic aspirations. I had always viewed myself as an academic and wanted to continue in that area. However, upon spending a few months here, I have learned that my heart is passionate about the church. I still want to teach , but I want to do it in the context of the church. God has given me a tender heart that breaks when confronted with the needs of the world. I am often paralyzed by the sheer quantity of hurt and need in the world. I want to help and fix all the world's problems, but as a single individual there is no way I can do that. That is why I love the church. If the church universal can get its act together and start working like the Body of Christ it is, the needs will be met. I am passionate about inspiring people to see themselves as a vital part of the body and empowering them to jump in where they are gifted and needed. I want to teach in the church for spiritual formation and discipleship. That is what I think God is going in my life."

When I finished telling him all of this, he turns to me and says, "That's funny that you mentioned that God is reframing and reshaping your views of self and vocation. That has also been on my mind a lot. Have you ever read 'The Dream Giver'?" I told him I have not. He then proceeded to tell me the story.

Basically, "The Dream Giver" is the story of Nobody, who comes to learn that he is really Somebody. The Dream Giver gives him a dream. He begins to follow the dream. Eventually, the Dream Giver comes back and asks for the dream. Somebody must surrender the dream. This is a painful process as he begins to let go of the thing that had come to shape his identity and be his driving force in life. He finally gives up the dream. The Dream Giver changes it a little bit and gives it back.

My friend told me that he loves this story because it reminds him that God is the Lord of our dreams. God gives us our dreams and passions, but ultimately they belong to God. Sometimes God demands that we give up our dreams. This process is difficult because they often become part of our identity. However, if we are willing to give them up, God will make them into something much better than we could have ever managed.

Seminary for me has been the process of giving up the dream and allowing God to reshape it. It has been painful as I give up a part of my identity. But I am beginning to learn that I am far more excited by the new dream as it begins to take form. I'm still not sure how it will all work out, but I am learning to trust God to make it happen the way God desires. I think I may go buy "The Dream Giver" and read at least once a year to remind myself of this important truth.