Dig it Up!
Everything visible, everything we see was first an invisible dream inside someone. An architect envisioned a building inside long before there was one. God created all visible things the same way. He saw it, spoke it, and it was. Everyone of us has dreams, hopes and gifts on the inside that are designed to become beautiful manifestations. I am so grateful to have had parents who recognized a musical gift in me as a young child. One day when I was 6 years old my mother simply went out and bought a piano and set me up for lessons. The rest is history, as they say. I have played and sung all my life and still do. Some parents might have ridiculed my childish dream of singing into a microphone or learning to play Mozart. I thank God for the encouragement I received. Maybe some of you are thinking, well, good for you. I wasn’t as fortunate. I want to say that it is never too late. That is what Women in Community is all about: encouraging, supporting and bringing out the gifts and callings in each other, buried or not. There are amazing, sensitive parts of us that are full of divine ideas, talents and creativity. Negative experiences can cause us to live out of touch with the treasures of our hearts and minds. Many women are living in emotional or relational pain that has kept them in survival mode for a long time. The hope of dreams fulfilled seems like a buried treasure long lost. But this is your time. This is the time to dig it up.
Go on a treasure hunt.
Look for it and discover (or rediscover) what is in your heart. Keep it fresh and alive. Begin to pray about it and envision what your life would look like with the vision fulfilled. Proverbs 4:23 says, Guard your heart above all things, because out of it flow the issues of life. Start to believe again. You are needed. Your gifts are important. You are the guardian of your heart. Sometimes we wait for God to do something when he is waiting for us to make a move. Jim Richards says, “We sometimes fail to see the danger of indecision. A wrong decision can be corrected. Indecision offers no hope, no relief and no opportunities for redirection” (Becoming the Person You Want to Be, p.24).
Don’t believe the fear thoughts, but take responsibility for your dreams.
You have ideas, potential and resources on the inside. Don’t bury them, like the one servant did in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The two servants who took risks and were diligent earned a profit. God has given you gifts, but they don’t come to fruition automatically. You need to take responsibility for their development. Don’t let fear rule your life. God is for you, and as you step out, he will work in you through all the learning, obstacles and other hard things that are involved. While this is not an easy process, it is a wonderful one! And you are not alone!
Take steps to develop your gifts.
I remember when I first started teaching the Bible. I was 20, and I gathered my friends on a weekly basis and began to teach what was on my heart. I soon discovered my passion for teaching and walked through every door of opportunity I was offered. I studied lots of books. I took courses and worked on finding ways to help others better understand the things of God. I learned to value small groups and one on one counseling or discipling just as much as a bigger crowd. I saved up and went overseas to minister to others. Don’t get caught up in what you can’t do. What are the opportunities around you? How can you start to prepare for the next step? Sometimes our endeavors don’t turn out the way we wanted them to. Don’t let failures stop you. Get up, brush yourself off, seek encouragement and support from friends and leaders. Keep on going.
Seek mentoring.
Mentors bring tremendous value to our lives. Because of mentors, our lives are catapulted much further than we could ever get on our own. I remember asking God for mentors and teachers early on, and God sent me in the path of some terrific ones. I have benefited immensely from books and material. Proverbs 13:14 in The Passion Translation says, “When lovers of God teach you truth, a fountain of life opens up within you, and their wise instruction will deliver you from the ways of death” (or destruction). Good mentors have wisdom to help us think and act in ways that cause our lives to blossom and God’s Kingdom to be advanced. They help us to become more self-aware and honest with ourselves so we can recognize unfruitful patterns. They get us in contact with other people that supply needed resources.
Finally, you cannot do the will of God in our own strength. The grace of God is God’s power and ability at work within you. Live in the reality of God’s love and high esteem for you. Continue to establish yourself in the truth of your new identity in Christ. Stay around friends who love and encourage you. Get involved with others and serve where the doors are open. Stay humble and teachable and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into more inner freedom and peace. And keep digging.
Cecilie Croissant