When I was a lad I was told I could have anything I wanted. All I had to do was set my eyes upon it, desired it a lot and then pursue it with all my might. In my late twenties I was taught to ‘visualise my dreams’ and pursue them – nothing else was to matter. If I see something I want, go get it.
For example, if I wanted a Ferrari, I was encouraged to find a picture of one, cut it out and stick it up on the mirror in the bathroom. Then everyday I was to look at that picture, ‘visualise the dream’ and then everything I did that day was to work towards that.
Think it, live it, breath it, consume me until I got it. What we focus on, gets done.
For some people this works…especially for material things.
But what about when we see, and desire, giftings and abilities that others have? For example, I have business acumen but when I see Bill Gates, I might think, I want his business acumen. I understand the Bible a little, but when I see Kevin Conner, I might think, I want his knowledge of the Bible. I can do public speaking but when I see Mark Conner, I might think, I want his ability to speak and teach without notes. I can do this, can’t I? I can ‘visualise the dream’ and have what they have?
Yes, possibly. But maybe a question to ask is, “what is the right dream for me to visualise and pursue”? Should I be desiring other people’s dreams? What is MY dream?
John the Baptist, was known for his baptising in water. Then Jesus comes along and does the same thing (John 3:22), but better. Now John knows Jesus is the Messiah and is greater than he.
They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” John 3:26
Does John want what Jesus has? No.
To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given from heaven. John 3:27
So what have you been given from heaven? What is it that you have been called to do on this earth?
You will know… sometimes it is buried beneath the world’s wisdom and material pursuits…but it is there.
Waiting to be discovered.
And when it is, the desire for what others have got will fade into insignificance. And many will look upon you and say, “I want what he’s got!”.
What is your dream?