I Still Have a Dream…

I have been working lately on putting together a “vision board.” It seems to be all the rage (even though many motivational coaches and speakers have really been talking about how a person’s future success is, in part, determined by his or her goals, mission and vision for many years, namely a few that I’ve heard including Jack Canfield, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books and The Success Principles.) Over the years I have written down my vision, mission, goals and a plan to achieve them but looking back it seems I always fall short of them…so I figured it’s time to do something different and embrace a visual vision board complete with pictures (I have already tapped the Triple A magazine for all of the places to which I want to travel!)

Today seems like an apropos time to bring up dreams and visions as it is the anniversary of the death of US reverend and political leader Martin Luther King, Jr. who made famous the line “I have a dream” in his speech by the same name. King was an advocate for peace as was our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…who, by the way, I discovered in planning my own keynote speech last fall, was not only a visionary of course, but a planner! In my keynote speech at the 10th Annual Vine & Vessels Christian Writers Conference in Georgetown last year, I employed Bible quotes to get across several of my points to the writers assembled. My topic was “Pen to Purpose” and several of my key points involved purpose, passion, perseverance, platform and planning. I found that Jesus Himself said in His talk on the ‘Cost of Discipleship’, “Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’ Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand?” (Luke 14:28-31)

Sometimes I struggle between planning and striving to reach my own dreams to become an internationally renowned author, speaker and book coach – or at least being able to do continue these callings I believe God put on my heart and write contemporary suspense novels based on Bible stories to better get across God’s messages to readers today – and “letting go and letting God” so to speak, relying on my faith in Him “Who can do all things.” In writing this, I realize it takes a whole lot of both – both planning and faith to carry out God’s will and purpose in our lives.

So just for today, I still have a dream, I will keep relying on God to help me fulfill it, and I will finish my vision board and plan for 2019 to help make it a reality. I pray that each of you has a dream in your heart as well and works hand in hand with God to make it come true!