A couple of months ago Bob Goff came to our church to co-lead a Discover Your Dream discussion that was awesome. (If you haven't encountered Bob Goff in any form, make sure you find a way to hear him speak, follow him, read his books - he is amazing. Inspires you want to go out and change the world kind of amazing). Anyways, one of the questions we were left with to discuss at our tables was, "What is your big, scary dream?" I had several ideas and passions swirling around in my mind that I was ready to share, but I asked my friend Allison what her's was first. Her immediate response? "Abolish human slavery on the continent of Africa."
Whoa.
My first thought? "I want to dream that big." My dreams had something to do with counseling and healing marriages, speaking worth into young girls, fighting for purity and a few other similar ideas which is great, but her answer inspired me to really clarify my purpose and vision for my dreams, as well as allow myself to dream big. REALLY BIG.
So the following week I sat down with a fresh new journal and wrote out six pages worth of ideas, goals, reasons, and practical next steps so I could put words to my passions and direction to my vision. And ultimately I narrowed down what I believe I'm called to do into this BIG. SCARY. DREAM:
"I want to help dramatically reduce the divorce rate in America."
Does that idea feel crazy and improbable and totally daunting? Absolutely. But knowing that's what I'm always working towards gives me drive and focus and crazy motivation. With a heaping dose of humility knowing that I will never accomplish it all on my own.
So there. My big scary dream is out there and I would love, love, LOVE to know if you have one. I think there is something so exciting and encouraging about hearing what other peoples' visions are to change the world, or one world. If you have no idea what yours is, not to worry! But I promise it might be easier to figure out than you think. Use these two questions as criteria: 1. What's the thing that kind of makes your heart flip flop every time you think or hear about it, the thing that makes you feel most alive and fully who you are when you're doing it? And, 2. Does your dream totally scare you?
I would love to read a string of comments containing your big dreams. We need a world filled with people who are willing to dream big dreams. So please share if you're willing :)
xoxo
Sara B
Image: Print available here
Love this! I'm living my big, scary dream....changing the education system in our country by teaching in one of the toughest areas of LA....one kid at a time....things will get better!
ReplyDeleteCarly
www.lipglossandcrayons.com
That's awesome Carly! You're right, working in the lives of children is HUGE and I love that you are getting to live your dream right now! How exciting :) Keep up the good work girl!
DeleteMy big dream is to help people find jobs that they love. I was laid off from my job and found the job market to be a very scary place. I would love nothing more than to help people find something that is the perfect fit for them!
ReplyDeleteHolly that's wonderful. As someone who is unemployed and has been for awhile, I totally sympathize with people who have been or will be in that situation. So thank you for wanting to do that! You will be great at it!
DeleteI heard Bob Goff speak recently too, at Donald Miller's Storyline conference in Nashville. If you have a chance to ever go to Storyline, do it! It's really focused on these ideas...figuring out your passion and what you were put on earth to do...and then plotting out the way that you're going to pursue that passion.
ReplyDeleteMy big, scary dream intimidates me so much that I don't even like saying it out loud or telling people. I think I'm scared of-what if I can't make it happen? But I guess that's why it's big and scary. I love food a lot and it breaks my heart that some people don't have access to healthy, affordable food, all over the world and here in our own country. It isn't that enough food doesn't exist, it's an access problem and a food education problem. I want to be a part of making nutritious food available to everyone, starting with my own city.
Oh I would love to go to Storyline! I heard about it when it was in Portland but never got to go. I'm sure it's so inspiring.
DeleteI love that dream Shanna, especially since I know how you love food! (Don't you love how our passions and dreams align like that?) I totally believe you can make that dream happen, starting in Kansas City! Excited to see how this plays out and thank you for sharing your big dream!
Oh my Dear Daughter, how I needed to see this, this morning, for a variety of reasons! I have always been drawn to protecting the innocence of children. The thought of little ones, much less adults, being trapped in the violent world of sexual slavery, is almost more than I can allow myself to think about. it paralyzes me with grief...My dream would be to outlaw this violent, evil, selfish behavior worldwide!
ReplyDeleteYou know I have worked with organizations over the years, and group homes for girls that have been abused. I don't know what my next steps would be, but I am open & willing to see where & how God will use me! xoxo Your Humbly Proud Mom
Thank you Mommy :) And I love your dream, because that completely breaks my heart as well. Thank you for being an example to me of working with broken people and having a heart to serve. I'm excited to see how God will use you as well, though He has already used you so much. Love you!
Deleteahhhh, dreams! big. scary. and powerful! I've always been drawn to people who are hurting and broken, (I know, isn't that pretty much all of us!). Helping them find their voice. Especially children! Gotta agree with your mama up there: sexual slavery is something that draws a holy anger from inside of me. To see redemption and healing all over the world, and especially justice! I dream about abolishing that "industry" all over the world. Maybe have a rescue/rehab home or NGO someday. I've been praying about Thailand for awhile now, sooooo, we'll seeeeeee:-) xoxo
ReplyDeleteEnding human trafficking is a huge passion of mine as well. How amazing would it be to live in an era where we could see the end of it?? And Thailand is a huge part of that. I'll pray that God makes it clear where He might have you go or what He might have you do. Though raising a baby is a pretty huge deal too :)
DeleteI just stumbled across your sweet blog and, how crazy is this, i just wrote that quote down on a post it in my car! So glad I avoided work to play around on Pinterest! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Kaleigh! Oh that is crazy. Love when stuff like that happens. Thanks for saying hi and your blog is so adorable! xo
DeleteJust found your blog as a result of Style & Pepper and thought I would pop in and tell you my BIG DREAM:
ReplyDeleteDrastically reduce the cases of anorexia and bulimia in the world by making people feel worthy, uniquely perfect, and loved.
www.allyandbochronicles.blogspot.com
Ahhh Ally I love that so much! This world needs that dream. Thank you for sharing that with me and I will pray right now you are equipped and able to live out that dream. Have a wonderful day! xo
DeleteI am so glad I found your blog! This post really spoke to me!! A year and a half ago, I went through the same thing about wanting to dream big and when I finally sat down with the Lord and allowed him to speak and give me big dreams it all made sense. I have a passion to see Jesus shine through the NFL and through NFL wives. I see so many of these players wives broken and hurt and their marriages falling apart and I want to see God restore the players, coaches, wives, reporters, everyone! So that is my big dream!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being such an encouragement!! xo
Amber I love that dream! How awesome that God has given you something so specific to focus on and there obviously is a need there as well. Thank you for sharing your dream and God bless you! xo
DeleteHi! I think I've talked to you briefly on Twitter before. I've always adored your blog so much, Sara. I actually just started a blog of my own a few weeks ago (http://www.wanderlust-and-such.blogspot.com) after being inspired by yours and others for so long! I was just reading through your posts and found this one and was so inspired by everything you said. As for a BIG, world-changing dream, I don't think I've figured it out yet. I'm only 19 so I'm sure God will help me realize whatever my BIG goal is soon. But a huge dream of mine has always been to have children and be the best mother I can be - to raise kids who always have faith and are always supported in THEIR dreams - no matter how crazy they seem. I'm young, but I can't wait for the day that I can realize this dream :)
ReplyDeletexo
Olivia
Hi Olivia! Thank you so much! And I have seen your blog and can't believe you just started it! It is already looking so great. To be honest, this dream is one of my favorites because it has always been mine too. Whenever people ask me what I want to be when I grow up or what my dream job is, I always say a wife and a mom. I don't think there's anything better! It's so, so important. So thank you for sharing this with me and for following my blog! Congrats on your new blog and have a wonderful day my dear! xo
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