Day 2 | Helping Hands, 2016

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Day 2 - For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. - Philippians 2:13 [Amplified version] 

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When I was in high school, I frequently had dreams about being in a car accident. I had never been in an accident before and I wasn’t afraid of driving. So, I couldn’t understand why I had so many nightmares about it. Often, I was the one driving and the only person in the car. I would wake up night after night, startled and sweaty with my heart racing. It wasn’t until years later, when I realized those dreams were because my life, at the time, was out of [my] control.

Later on, I would find myself having dreams about my teeth falling out. As silly as it sounds, I discovered that I only had those dreams when there was a decision that I was wrestling with and I just couldn’t “sink my teeth into it”.  During the day my decisions had too many varying influences, so my body tried to talk to me at night.

On the other hand, during the day, I often dreamed of being a writer. I dabbled in poetry. I always chose essays over school projects and even wrote many articles for my high school yearbook. Yet when not given an assignment I had no idea what to do with the desire. But it didn’t stop the desire from growing.

In fact, it wasn’t until I chose to make my relationship with Jesus my number one priority and started reading the Word daily to learn his will for me; that I suddenly had a topic to write about. The words began pouring out of me. A blog was born and I found such a meaningful way to apply his word to my life. Writing this way has become one of the most fulfilling and satisfying things that I have ever experienced.  On top of that, it has led to other opportunities as a result.

Job 33:14-16 tells us that God talks to us in our dreams at night. Genesis 1:27 says that we are created in God’s image. Just as he created; he made us to create. Not only has he given our physical bodies ways to warn and guide, he’s also given us talents and interests that help us fulfill our purpose. Our very anchor verse says that it is He that works in us to accomplish all of these things.

Think about it

1.  Not every dream is a sign from God but have you considered that any of them are? Do you have reoccurring dreams? If so what are they? Alongside it, write about events in your life. Note any correlations. Consider praying, reading your Bible and journaling about them. 

2. Are there desires or talents that you wish that you had but perhaps you don’t quite know what do to with? 

3. How might you use the area(s) in #3 to honor the Lord or serve others?