The story of a football player is often the same: I want to be great, make money and score X number of touchdowns. The mistake we often make in life is that we start with a dream from the viewpoint of our current situation, looking toward a desired destination.
The problem with this is that we often begin to measure God’s power based on how our dream plays out. We assume God’s power is limited to how well we’re able to get from our current situation to our desired destination.
You can’t start with your current state; you need to go further back to the preexisting idea that before you existed (even before your parents and grandparents existed), there was One who had an ultimate dream in mind. God’s ultimate goal is for us to worship and glorify Him in three persons.
God’s plan for the world always included all three portions of Himself being glorified. He never had a dream that didn’t include the sanctification of the Spirit, the salvation by the Son, and the glorification of God. By the decision making of the Father, the flesh of the Son, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are His image bearers.
This story doesn’t start with a better version of you, it starts with God having a dream. God’s dream is for the fallen world to be restored to Him in a love story that would ultimately bring Him glory. Don’t lose sight of this dream!
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” —Colossians 3:17
God’s dream includes us. From the beginning, God created us to be His image bearers, displaying His glory to the world.
The world can’t be all about you because you didn’t always exist and you won’t exist on earth forever. The sun has to burn when you aren’t around anymore. The stars had to twinkle before you were alive. There has to be something bigger than you!
God’s goal included creating a team of people who would bring glory to Him — who would win for Him. We have to ask ourselves, “Am I on that team? Am I actively participating on that team? Do I understand that my relationship with that team is the very reason why I’m here?” Existence outside of Christ is the greatest distractor to existence and purpose in Christ. Some people know God has a big story, but they forget they’re a part of it. He’s asking you, “Are you in?”
We all have a collective story in God’s plan, but we also have an individual story as players within the bigger picture. You have to decide if you’re in, not based on what kind of role you get to play. Your commitment to God’s plan cannot be dependent on His granting you what you hope and dream for.
Let your hope rest in God and trust in His greater story.
—Jack Easterby, Chaplain for the New England Patriots
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