Sometimes I have too many thoughts in my head. Okay, most all of the time. I’ve looked into Myers Briggs Personality Types again as I’ve thought of dreams. I affirm the importance of knowing when you’re in your element. In reading about all the types, I am beginning to see patterns where God has used me and directions where I feel He is leading me. I am an INFJ if you were dying wanted to know.
I do believe God stretches us and we can often find ourselves in places where our strengths seem vastly inadequate for the task at hand. God has a way of calling the weak to move mountains, and it’s only in His strength that could possibly happen. He gets the glory.
But He also gets the glory when He orchestrates His will on earth through the very distinct threads and fibers that wind together and make us who we are. He gets the glory when the gifts He has knit into our being are called upon to honor Him.
The older I get, the more I realize there are some things that I am just not good at. I used to believe that to improve on our weaknesses we should focus our energies there until we overcome the areas that are less than skillful. But what I found was that my drive was then sapped to do the things that I was really naturally inclined to.
Recently, I saw a friend tweet that they don’t like the movie Rudy to which there was vigorous comical debate as to how someone could hate the classic underdog story of a man who had almost no talent or athletic prowess fixing his sights on playing football for Notre Dame and then proceeding to doggedly chase down that dream with extreme persistence and dedication. In the end, he played three plays and his teammates carried him off the field to the inspired applause thundering from the stands.
How could this David and Goliath story not be loved?
The truth is I didn’t like it either.
I know that this goes against a lot of what we are taught in terms of work ethic and devotion to betterment and a “you can do anything you set your mind to” mentality, but I can’t help wondering what Rudy could have accomplished if he had pursued something with that same vigor, which he had a higher aptitude for.
I wonder too as I think of my dreams, what has God made me for? What am I good at? What did he purpose for me, in my passions, my skills, and my life experiences?
I don’t believe in a random scattering of coincidences, or in God flinging us into being and haphazardly plunking us down on this earth to do the best we can.
I believe He is a God of intention, a God of orchestration and influence. He makes a way for our steps and illuminates our paths if we walk in obedience.
So I did the scary part last week. I named my dreams out loud. The dreams I believe He has placed within me and is equipping me for each step of the way.
Today we were supposed to do one small thing towards our goal. One thing that could be done in 15 minutes or so. Being the overachiever that I am and the fact that the first one only took a DM, I did two.
First, I accepted the offer to mentor, guide, and encourage a group of women in their pursuit of writing out of their hearts. The email came out of the blue and after praying about it, I felt it was a divine answer to my dream of speaking into women’s lives in a tangible way.
I said yes. I’ll be talking more about that soon.
Second, I filled out the forms to renew my passport. My last one expired in 2001, right as I was celebrating my baby’s first birthday and in my mind, kissing goodbye my wanderlust and hopes for missions as the pressures of life seemed to mount. Today, I am renewing more than forms to get me into Africa. I am renewing a dream that God will provide a way.
How are you doing with your dreams? I really do want to know so leave me a comment and let’s do this thing together.
I am loving reading about these dreams people have, and watching the small steps they’re taking to accomplish them. It’s so inspiring, for me to think about what is my biggest dream, and what steps can I take to reach it.
Sheila @ The Deliberate Reader recently posted..Mini Reviews: Memoirs to Skip
Yes, Holley has a great post too about what to do if you don’t know your God sized dream. I’ve been finding it so cool to see how each of us are made and when I read other’s dreams, I can totally see how God has gifted them in those directions. I was going to say, I’ve loved reading through all of your ratings on GoodReads. I haven’t totally figured out how to use it yet, or how to find friends with good taste. The friends I have just showed up and a lot of them haven’t rated any books so it’s nice to be connected and get good suggestions. Your post above looks good. I love memoirs…. good memoirs.
Alia Joy recently posted..Walking Those Dreams
Awesome post!
Are you going to jumping tandem conference in April with Holly Gerth and company?
Thanks Stacey. I am.
Alia Joy recently posted..Walking Those Dreams
What a great reminder!! BTW – I loved Rudy, but love your point too. It reminds me of Strengths Finder. Have you read and taken the test? We spend too much time taking our weaknesses and trying to make them strengths — if we would but focus on those strengths. Great stuff girl!!!
Positively Alene recently posted..how to follow a dream so that others are blessed.
My husband loved it too. I’m not a big football fan, or sports movie fan so those counted against it before it even started. I have taken Strengths Finder but haven’t spent as much time looking into what they all mean as I have with MBTI. My strengths are
Individualization
Intellection
Relator
Strategic
Communication
So, yeah. That’s me. I agree, we need to be aware of our weaknesses but focus on areas of strength. Sometimes as Christians, I think we confuse weaknesses with sin. I’m not mixing those up. I’m just talking about gifting. If there’s sin, it definitely needs to be dealt with. Looking forward to sharing in your dreams as well.
Alia Joy recently posted..Walking Those Dreams
“I don’t believe in a random scattering of coincidences, or in God flinging us into being and haphazardly plunking us down on this earth to do the best we can.
I believe He is a God of intention, a God of orchestration and influence. He makes a way for our steps and illuminates our paths if we walk in obedience.”
Having a hard time with the obedience part – not feeling particularly adequate to pursue those dreams. I needed these words today!
Carol Vinson recently posted..The Year of Trust
That’s the best place to be in so many ways, inadequate. They wouldn’t be God sized if we could accomplish them by ourselves. Yes, I believe God has given me skills to be able to do some of what He has called me to, but He has also placed obstacles in my path that only He can move. We walk in obedience and He parts the waters. Hang in there. I am glad these words meant something to you. You just have to trust! Thanks for stopping by here, Carol. I’m looking forward to seeing how Trust works in your life this year.
I loved this! Every word… (even the crossed out ones!) “God has a way of calling the weak to move mountains, and it’s only in His strength that could possibly happen. He gets the glory.” Ah yes! We are Soul Sculptors and Mountain Movers (and Grace Whisperers!) – ESPECIALLY when we are weak!
~Karrilee~
P.S. – So – is now the time that I admit that I never even made the TIME to watch Rudy? Ever.
~Karrilee~ recently posted..Diving In… Keeping Time… Pressing on
Ha! Well in my opinion, you’re not missing much having not watched Rudy.
Guess who else is an INFJ? Yep.
And now it becomes ever clearer as to why you are such a kindred spirit.
Now, about gifting…you are definitely on to something that has taken me a very long time to begin to understand. I was always that person on the sidelines, watching others do their “thing” — singing, dancing, teaching, plumbing, you name it. To watch folks living into their gifting is a beautiful thing, truly. But because I wasn’t at all in touch with my own gifting I looked on with a dripping envy. I wanted what they had. So, even if it made NO sense, I would walk towards singing or dancing or underwater basketweaving … you name it. I was determined to be gifted, dang it. I became like Rudy, pushing into things for which I really wasn’t made. It was a disaster. I was a disaster.
Now, after living a LOT more years and maturing a bit, and going through some therapy (therapy is always good) I realize that I wasted a lot of time trying to fit my star shaped peg into a square shaped hole. Those folks whose gifts I pined after were plugging into their star-shapes and they were shining. That is why it was so beautiful to watch.
It may be true that we can do anything we want to do if we put our minds to it. But I agree with you, friend. We only truly trill when we are plugged into our unique gifting. We are shortchanging ourselves and the world of something beautiful when we force what doesn’t come naturally.
To lean into our gifting takes the pressure off, too. There is no need to be jealous or “compete” in the arena of gifts when you know there are plenty to go around and that you might soar at something that no one else does.
There is true freedom to be had in our gifts.
And now that I have monopolized your comments, I will go.
Thank you for speaking such truth and love. You, Alia Joy, are a gift.
Holly recently posted..{Adagio: A Poetry Project} Les Mains
Oh I hear you! And I am finding that although the INFJ is the rarest of the personality types, you can find a ton of them writing. We were made for it! I have realized that I can see beauty in those whose gifting is completely different than mine, but I don’t have to try to replicate everyone who does well what I am completely inept at. So much freedom in that, I agree!
You can monopolize my comments anytime! Love having you here and can’t wait to hug you in real life. April is coming soon! So very excited to meet you, kindred friend.
Yes!! Oh girl, I am THRILLED to be part of your God Sized Dreams
So thankful for you, your heart, and what you’re going to do!
crystal recently posted..God Sized Dreams: The Baby Steps
Thanks Crystal. Thanks for thinking of me, it’s an honor.
Beautiful and thoughtful, post. And loved finding out you’re in an INFJ–I am too!
Holley Gerth recently posted..Hey You, taking that brave step…
Thanks Holley! There are a lot of INFJ’s out there writing and encouraging. So glad to be among kindred souls and thanks for challenging us to dream God sized. I can’t wait for your book, I know it is going to challenge places long dead and walled off because of fear. May we break free and be women who pursue God with whole hearts!
YAY FOR YOU!!!!! It’s so exciting to see people stepping out bravely! In the meantime, I’ll just stare at my *dream* with vague bafflement until I get a random email encouraging movement in one direction or the other…hehehe…
Ha! Small steps, right? Is there something you can do towards your dream that takes 15 minutes or less. Name it out loud, girl!
I sent two emails. One to our local placement center about information on adopting from foster care, & another to a fellow YWAMer about being a family in missions. Scary responses
I’m DYING to hear about the writing group thingy! Sounds v v cool!
I’m an enfj
I like infjs – lots of writers seem to be them!
Tanya Marlow recently posted..Not right now
The NF is what makes us idealists! And idealists always have big dreams and think hard about looking for meaning and connection. I can totally see that in you and your blog. I’m really excited to be co-leading an (in)courage group for writers starting in February.
Oo oo!
Yes, Alia Joy!!! I love that you are listening and allowing God to guide you each step of the way! I can just feel His delight as you answer the call.
Paula Barnett recently posted..On this Fourteenth Day to Begin Anew
Thanks Paula. I’m feeling that too!
My dream of going to Nicaragua is getting closer. I said yes, I’ll go with your group this April. I have my passport…have for a few years now. I got it the year after our friends left (after being here 4 years). I am waiting for the confirmed answer this week of tickets bought. It is a definite step in faith for me to go out of my comfort zone. But I’m going for the a couple reasons, and one is sharing the Lord and His love that’s placed in my heart.
Becky L recently posted..Just Some Randomness
That’s so exciting Becky. My mom went on a missions trip to Nicaragua last year. Yes, out of your comfort zone but definitely not out of God’s. Blessings to you as you step out in this way.