Dream Bigger
I got married one month after graduating from college. I was this young, country girl from Kentucky. I wasn’t sheltered, but my bubble was very small. And I didn’t know to dream bigger. I was content and happy and in love. Kevin and I married and immediately we left KY for seminary where we both planned to complete our Master’s, only to return to the good ol’ South and do youth ministry for the rest of our lives. That was the dream. And to us, it was HUGE.
Enter Bob Roberts. . .for those of you who know Bob, you can attest to the fact that your outlook on life can never be the same after only a few brief encounters with him. He is wild and risky and his dreams and vision are infectious. And after 4 years of close contact with Bob at Northwood, we were doomed. . .doomed to dream bigger and open our eyes wider and explore the world around us and do crazy things for God.
(Eldorado Canyon State Park, Boulder, CO)
NorthWood is where church planting entered into our lives and seeped into our DNA. This is where Vietnam became our passion. This is where we grew up, where we found ourselves, where we drove the stake in the ground and said that we were going for it. . .whatever “it” might be. This was the story of our 20’s.
I will never forget Bob talking about how for most people in your 20’s you find yourself and start dreaming dreams, in your 30’s you begin to achieve your dreams, in your 40’s you start seeing the results of your hard work and in your 50’s you then become a true person of influence in your area of expertise. I hope I paraphrased that well enough, Bob. 
I remember watching Bob and Niki and wishing that my life would hurry up so that I could finally get where they were in their journey (early 40’s). Life seemed so much more full and exciting. But today I sit here 33, blown away at the journey thus far, so thankful that I haven’t missed a single day of the adventure. And I see it all starting to unfold – the story that God is writing for my life. And I see that Bob was right. It’s about milestones and journeying and working hard and living big and going for it and figuring out what God uniquely created us to be. . .and being patient with the process.
I still want to hurry up and get there some days. I bet you do, too. But what a fun ride the journey is. I hope you’ll savor every moment.
So, what is it that God is prompting you to dream about today? Are you ready to go for it?
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=57&chapter=3
Phil. 3:12-16
NEXT BLOGGING SERIES. . . “Confessions of a Church Planting Wife”
______________________________________________________________________________
posted by Amy Colón
To continue to connect even more, check out the church planting wives group on Facebook
CPW Blog Categories
Search Glocalnet
Support
Partners
Comments
Sep 22, 2008 at 04:17 PM
I love watching God change someone's direction. I love seeing people respond to a new, different, maybe even scary calling on their lives. It's a little harder when it's me, cuz it hurts a little more, you know, but He faithfully walks with me. Two years ago we left a church we could have gladly stayed at forever. It hurt, more deeply than we could express. At that time I had never even heard of church planting in America--I thought that was something you do overseas. Now here we are, part of a brand new church plant, and majorly stoked (sorry, 80's girl here) at the new direction God gave us.
I dream big dreams for this church. Mainly that we will be effective, useful, compassionate, loving people in our community. I want it to be said that if our church was not in our community, there would be a hole. It's not for our glory as a church or an individual, but for the glory that belongs to the Lord alone.
Somedays I struggle with the "how." How do we follow those dreams God gives us? Sometimes life gets in the way, you know?
Sep 22, 2008 at 04:59 PM
Thank you so much for sharing this. You are right... it is so much more about the journey than it is the destination. It's about dreaming big, and allowing the God that is EVEN BIGGER to work and move according to HIS PLANS and HIS PURPOSE!! Something I needed to be reminded of today.
Sep 22, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Thanks for a great post, Amy! It definitely sounds like our story too! Your Northwood is our New Life in northern Virginia. It's the place where church planting seeped into our DNA as well and made us want to reach out and show grace to anyone who needed it. Our lives were changed forever and it's only been an adventure since then and getting better all the time. I'm so glad I get to do life with you even if it's only online!
Sep 23, 2008 at 12:13 AM
@Carlee - I love your comment, "I want it to be said that if our church was not in our community, there would be a hole." That is what Kevin and I have said from the very start of Cool River. I don't know about you, but where we live that is a GOD SIZED DREAM! I really pray it comes true for you and for us as well.
WooHoo! for 80's girls!!!
Sep 23, 2008 at 12:19 AM
@Susanne - Keep going Susanne!
@Nikki - Don't you just love how God always sticks us in the right place at the right time to prepare us for the next step? My favorite part is looking back on circumstances and finally realizing how everything was getting pieced together when I didn't even have a clue what was going on.
Sep 23, 2008 at 12:30 AM
@Carlee - Maybe someone else will chime in and help to answer your question, but this is what I have found. . .as long as I keep doing my best to faithfully put one foot in front of the other (realizing that more days than I would like to admit I barely move a centimeter), God just kinda moves me toward those dreams. There have been a lot of times that I felt so stuck - like the dreams would never come true - like I might as well give up because life is just too insane - only to see the doors swing open the very next day. I think that even when we don't realize we are doing much to move towards those dreams, if they are given by God, he is always moving us. We just have to be patient - UGH! I hate that word!!
Sep 23, 2008 at 11:35 AM
The journey is pretty amazing, and I am enjoying watching God work through our journey. After being in ministry for the past 10 years, we are just beginning our church planting adventure. It is amazing to see how God has been weaving our passions and experiences to prepare us for this...for what he has uniquely created us to do for Him.
Like you said, Amy...I too am thankful that I haven't missed a single day of this adventure. And I look forward to continuing in this journey, working hard, and living big. Thanks for sharing with us, Amy!
Sep 24, 2008 at 01:46 PM
I am in that 20's era right now going God I am not sure what you're up to, but help us dream bigger than we ever thought possible. I am one of those that naturally has an adventurous spirit but I know I get uncomfortable when I don't know all the details. I appreciate your post so much because we are in that place now, going God we know you have made us to do so much for you and to make much of you. We started down the church planting journey right after being married, about 3 years ago. God brought us to New Life to teach us more about what it really takes, and it has only served to help us dream bigger dreams and grow our passion. I am really learning lately that I've got to lay down my plans for God's bigger plans. Thanks again for your encouragement. I am looking forward to your next post...
Sep 25, 2008 at 01:59 AM
I am in my late 30s and here we are starting a church. For me, it has been amazing to watch my dreams change. Since I have given everything over to the Lord, my hopes and dreams have become His. I am no longer focused on me, me, me....well, most of the time!
Leave a Reply