Some people have been told for so long that they "can't" that they begin to believe it. If you are to find your dream, the first thing you need to think about is this: How does God dream?

God always thinks BIG. A friend of mine says, "My God is too big to think dink." God thought of everything from the smallest chromosomes and DNA to the black holes in space when He dreamed about the universe. Psalm 92:5 says, "...how profound your thoughts!" When God thinks, He thinks in a big, wild, and adventurous way.

The Bible says you were created in His image. He has given you the ability to think like He does (1 Cor. 2:16). You have a God-given ability to imagine.

In fact, Genesis 2:15 says that God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. This was Adam's job. He was to make it beautiful. He could do whatever He wanted to with it except eat of the one tree. Adam used his own imagination and named the animals. God wanted him to be creative and make the garden awesome.

Proverbs 15:26 tells us that the thoughts of the pure are pleasing to God. This means that if you are saved and walking with all your heart as closely as you possibly can to Jesus, He really is pleased with what you think. Proverbs 12:5 says, "The thoughts of the righteous are right..." (KJV). Let God use your thoughts - your ability to dream - to bring Himself glory.

First you should begin to dream about your personal life with Jesus. What are your goals in your relationship with the Lord? What do you really want to be like? How much do you want to grow in Him this next year? What areas of your life do you want transformed? In what ways do you want your prayer and Bible-reading times to get better? Dream big about your walk with the Lord.

Next you should begin to dream about the ministry that God has for you now. What does God want to do through you this next year? How does He want to use you to change your school or work place? What could those hangouts in your town look like in a year if you started doing something right now? What about a mission trip? Think about all the people around the world who have never had a chance to hear about Jesus - then dream big about how you can get there to reach them.

Finally, you should begin to dream about the future that God has for you. What could you really do to have a lifelong impact for the kingdom of God? How many souls could be saved? How many churches started? How much money could you pump into missions with your life of service to God? Dream big about the incredible impact that your life can make.

It is not arrogant to dream big. God dreams big dreams. When you dream big, you are just like God. The more creative you are, the more you imitate your Heavenly Father. However, you might not want to tell everyone right up front like Joseph did (Gen. 37). If you tell everyone, you could sound like you are puffed up. God might give you a dream, but it's not ready for everyone else to hear until you get closer to the time of actually fulfilling your dream.

Remember that He is "...able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine..." (Eph. 3:20). That means that if you can think it, God can do it. Another pointer is to never let money or location determine your dream. You might get a great idea, and then think, "But how could I ever get the money to do that?" Don't you dare let money stop you!

I always tell teens who want to go on a mission trip, "God has all kinds of money, you just have to find out in whose pockets He's keeping it!" You may want to take some time right now while your ideas are fresh and write out your dreams for each of these different areas.

Source: Quit Playing with Fire! by Ron Luce
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania Ministries