KEEP DREAMING...CONTINUE THE VISION

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Drown out the Darkness

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“From the moment I caught my first wave I knew I wanted to be a Pro Surfer. Nothing else seemed to matter. Surfing is my passion, my way of life. The stoke I get from riding a perfect wave is pure joy. I was born to surf. This is why I wake up at the crack of dawn every day. This is why I endure belly rashes, reef cuts, and muscles so tired they feel like needles. And I’ve learned that life is a lot like surfing. When you get caught in the impact zone you need to get right back up because you never know what’s over the next wave. And if you have “Faith” anything is possible, anything at all.” ~ Bethany Hamilton, Soul Surfer.

How many can say that about what they are doing, what their profession is? I watched Soul Surfer for the first time yesterday.  “I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me”, Philippians 4 v13, to me was the theme of this movie. What the devil meant for harm God turned it into good. In Romans 8 v28 the scripture reads, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” KJV

 

Bethany's courage, her perseverance and the support of her family was very inspiring. It is encouraging for someone to say “this is what I was born to do”. The knock downs do not matter, the dream stealers do not matter, age does not matter and the Nay Sayers do not matter. What matters is you do what you are purposed to do.  I am encouraged by Bethany’s story. I actually remember when this happened and hearing about it on the news. I remember feeling hurt for her and her family thinking how devastating this must be for them. Certainly this was a big upset but look at how God worked it out. Look at how faith brought her through. 

 

In the interview at the end of the movie she was asked if she could go back to that day and not have gone surfing would she do it. Bethany answered, “I wouldn’t change what happened to me because then I wouldn’t have this chance in front of all you, this chance to embrace more people than I ever could have with two arms.” And what she aspired to do with two arms she still got accomplished with one and at the top of her sport as a Professional Surfer. Some people say to those aspiring to be professionally singers or actors or models or whatever people think are considered dream jobs that it is just a dream. For some perhaps but for others it is what they are born to do. 

 

I will say a dream is a vision and in the word it states in Proverbs 29 v18 "Where there is no vision the people perish but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” KJV

God speaks to us through Scripture. God still speaks directly to us day by day. How we work towards the vision given to us and our experiences will be different for each person. God says in Jeremiah 29 v11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (KJV)” Praise Jesus how good is that?

It is not about having a fall back plan or anything other than a Jesus plan. Some people think they sound smart to say “Well, have a fall back plan.” When you know you are doing what you were born to do if you spend time falling back you spend time out of faith. And the scripture says in Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” I would much rather please God than my mother, father, or anyone else. The rest of that scripture says, “for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

For some the vision may not be fully realized just yet. But you can say with God confidence that it will come to pass. With God all things are possible (Matthew 19 v26). It is not a dream. It’s reality guaranteed by Almighty God.

Words from the prophet Isaiah, (Isaiah 9 v 2-end):

" The people who walked in darkness
   have seen a great light.
For those who lived in a land of deep shadows—
   light! sunbursts of light!
You repopulated the nation,
   you expanded its joy.
Oh, they're so glad in your presence!
   Festival joy!
The joy of a great celebration,
   sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
The abuse of oppressors and cruelty of tyrants—
   all their whips and cudgels and curses—
Is gone, done away with, a deliverance
   as surprising and sudden as Gideon's old victory over Midian.
The boots of all those invading troops,
   along with their shirts soaked with innocent blood,
Will be piled in a heap and burned,
   a fire that will burn for days!
For a child has been born—for us!
   the gift of a son—for us!
He'll take over
   the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
   Strong God,
Eternal Father,
   Prince of Wholeness.
His ruling authority will grow,
   and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David throne
   over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
   and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
   beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies
   will do all this."

(The Message Version)

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