Remember when you were a kid and you would imagine your play ground equipment turning into a castle or fort? In my backyard, my cousin and I would routinely take off in our F-14 Tomcats to jet around seeking Russian Megs that were getting way to close to our aircraft carriers (we were pretty big into Top Gun at the time). We would soar higher and higher in our pursuit. Sometimes we were shot down; and we had to hoof it to a safe spot where a Seal team could rescue us. Other times, we were victorious and we buzzed the tower before landing.
You may not have Top Gun memories, but I bet you have one or two pretty large large adventures from the confines of your backyard or bedroom. Don’t you miss having that kind of wild imagination? On those rare occasions that I get my kids off the electronic devices, I love listening to them imagine big and bold. It’s refreshing to hear their wide open, anything-can-happen viewpoint on the world. When they pick up legos, their minds fire so fast that I can’t keep up. Forget about the design the legos were supposed to create, they have far better ideas stored up in their minds. I often find myself longing for playtime with no boundaries – the sheer joy of an “anything can happen” attitude is perfection.
Earlier this week, I was obsessing about a relatively large project taking place at my church and got this pinch that I couldn’t shake. For months, we’ve been aware that an old building next to our even older sanctuary was no longer safe for use. It was a long journey to come to the decision that it needed to be torn down. Between the sentiments and memories that were birthed in the buildings walls and the considerable price it was going to cost, no one really wanted to do it. Yet, we felt compelled that safety mattered, so we stepped forward. On monday evening, I went to bed a nervous wreck. On Tuesday, the crew was coming and by Wednesday it would be completely down.
I tried to force myself to relax, which doesn’t work very well. Then I started thinking about all the reasons for tearing it down. Then I started worrying about money (I do that a lot). But then when I was all worried out, I remembered our sunday evening service where we officially left the building and decommissioned it as a place the church used. I listened to the stories and memories that once again filled the room. Marriages, dinners, babies rocked, choirs that sang, and kids of all ages who were given a chance to know Jesus. Just like I did on Sunday night, I felt myself smiling. I felt myself being pulled by something to dream that new memories will start to happen.
I shared with the church that night about Legacy. That building was a place of legacy. Our decision to tear it down would be a part of our legacy – something we would hand down to others. As I thought of the lives touched, I started finding myself hoping for new stories to be told. I started dreaming of more weddings and more baptisms. I started envisioning kids of all ages getting to know Jesus’ love for them. I started seeing picnics and celebrations in the grassy yard that once was home to an old house.
But as I smiled and thought, the pinch of the Holy Spirit got me. As clear as day, I felt God was telling me that I wasn’t dreaming or praying big enough. I felt this internal nudge that said “Jim, I’m capable of so much more than that. Why are you settling? Why aren’t you letting yourself pray and dream bigger things?” As the words were forming in my mind, I felt my smile vanish and a deep sense of calm come over me. Was God inviting me to return to the swing set and fly in my TomCat again? It sure felt that way – it still does.
Scripture tells us that God is omnipotent (all-powerful) – that He is capable of much. Scripture also tells us that we can know God’s good and perfect will – that the world would know His love and offer of redemption. We are also told that as we receive this good news and trust in His Way, we are given the very energy of God – His Spirit – that lives inside of us. So, if those are true, then maybe I am dreaming too small. Maybe I do need to let my prayers exceed my reason. Maybe I do need to let myself be drawn closer to this God’s heart and mission for redeeming the world. Do you?
I don’t know what huge stones or projects lie in front of you, but I do know that God is big enough. Maybe it’s time that we return to the playground and let our imaginations be transformed by a Holy God who longs to see creation restored? I’m starting to believe that God has bigger dreams for His church. I guess the question is do we believe that God’s able? Are you ready to imagine and dream bigger? Are you ready for God to let God push you outside of boundaries that were never meant for you? I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to get back my “anything can happen” attitude. What about you?
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Great story, Jim– and so very true! I think there’s an ad currently running that says something like, “Never stop dreaming.” (Or maybe that one was from, oh, 20 years ago….) We should nudge ourselves to “never stop believing,” because it’s then, when all the “easy” work is done, that God’s work REALLY gets done. Again, like the ad for the marines goes (and honestly, I don’t watch much TV– we haven’t had it plugged in for over six months), God wants your commitment, not a contract. I think when we “commit” we unleash the power of the Holy Spirit within us to do things that would otherwise seem pretty daunting. We just need to remember that with God, all things are possible if we allow ourselves to be his agents. Those childhood memories serve a very instructive purpose by showing us that we can “grow into” the kind of people God wants in order to help advance his kingdom on earth.
Just a couple days ago Maya and I were talking about the wide, wide imagination of children. You’ve hit hime with this post. Thank you! May God make all His big dreams come true in us!