“And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:2-3 NIV).
While crafting a message about dreaming boldly, an important email, I’d been waiting for came in from a literary agency. With great anticipation, I opened the response, praying this agent would say yes to a manuscript I’d sent her weeks prior. But the first two words told me everything I needed to know, “I’m sorry.”
Honestly, after reading another rejection I felt tired and rejected. Then I began to think about other times I’d experienced this feeling in my writing and personal life. Soon, I didn’t seem well equipped to author something about encouragement, about dreaming bold. Thankfully, I’d come prepared for this battle of doubt and for the constant tension I experience with trials and triumphs. I reflected on the many other times God had said, “yes,” to me. I’d received offers to contribute to various other writing projects, won awards, felt affirmed, and had been pursued by others who offered loyal friendships.
Years ago, I’d developed the practice of journaling and creating vision boards. Inadvertently, my father had taught me this habit by setting goals and using his journals and planners to achieve. During times of discouragement, my father could open his journal and find documentation of the times God had been good to him.
He was making a memorable and profound point. When we endure trials it’s hard to believe it’ll ever end. When in times of triumph we often expect it’ll continue forever. But life isn’t this way. There are trials and triumphs, and they appear to run on two tracks, much like a train. At any given time, there can be triumphs, but also trials to face.
In the Bible in the book of Habakkuk, Habakkuk compares himself to a watchman stationed on the city wall who keeps his eyes open for approaching messengers or danger. The messengers would bring either good or bad news, reports of trials and triumphs. Later, in this book, Habakkuk gives us a vital application when we want to succeed in our mission in life when we have visions/plans/dream. He tells us:·
Write the vision
Read the vision
Run with the vision
I encourage us to sprint faithfully, to achieve our God- inspired dreams. To do it boldly. To give our plans life by writing, reading, and running with it. But at the same time remembering on one track of our lives there are great trials: on the other track there are enormous triumphs!
Dear Lord, thank you for always being my encouraging father, showing me how to dream boldly! When trials come, help me keep hopeful. When triumphs come, help me stay humble. I ask that you continue to be my guide, keep my eyes on You despite what I face. Amen.
What God-inspired dreams have you dared to dream?
This was so inspiring and right on time. Thank you for sharing.