The Problem with Dreamers

It was about 2 years and 5 months ago; I was flying back to Florida moving home from the greatest season (so far); of my life. And as I was sitting in the airplane for 14 hours+ I thought to myself "how and where do I go from here".

It had been a long time dream of mine to visit Sydney, Australia, particularly Hillsong Church. To attend their Leadership College and live and learn from people I had admired so much from a distance. 

So I worked hard for a year, sold everything (even my car), saved, and moved across the world. I set out with a dream in my heart, adventure on my mind and great expectations for what God was doing to do with and in me.

I planned to stay 1 year and God planned for me to stay for 3 years. 

In those 3 years; I learned biblical foundations of leadership and how to serve the church well. I met the most amazing friends who encourage me and have given me a big reason to travel the world (to see them all)! And in my 3rd year I interned under an incredible women who taught me to encourage the potential in people, that I could be creative with pretty much anything and above all pursue Jesus in everything that I do. 

It truly was life changing.

But when I landed back in the states. I was stuck with the question...

well what's next....

How do I top that experience?  

I tried for months to answer this question in action. I put together my resume, references, and reached out to people I thought that could connect me where I thought I wanted to go. I reached really high and wide because I refused to stop dreaming with the potential that was instilled in my over this season.

But there wasn't much response to what 'jen had plans for' and the question still lingered...how do I transition from such an incredible season of life into the next? What if I have to get a "normal job" rather than one that involves the gifting and things I've learned from the last season at Hillsong College.

Well...I know I ramped this post up to this point but basically...

I don't have all the answers to these questions. And I certainly didn't find the last 2 years of my life to be this mountain top experience that trumps everything else. 

But I know one thing.

I love Jesus, and seek to keep him in full focus of all I do.

And thru Him I love people. I'm involved in church, and look to encourage people's potential in my everyday.

Yes I still have big dreams, Yes I still have big plans, but I've learned to cherish the little things, and to Stay where God has placed me instead of running to where 'I' think 'I' am called to be when life gets hard and my expectations are shattered.

It's not easy. But I believe there is a special grace for every person in every season.

I guess as a dreamer myself I'll always struggle with the reality of seeing big possibilities and not being able to achieve them all promptly.

But I'll be honest I'd rather be in the center of what God is doing Right Now then achieve my dreams quickly. 

Here is a verse that has encouraged my heart thru this season.

“There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” Romans 5:3-5

I truly pray that you find your purpose in pursuing Jesus not your plans.

The Best Is Yet To Come.

-jdw