I started writing the “Heaven” posts on my previous blog in December of 2011. My goal was to look at every verse in the Bible that used the word Heaven and to bring forth a commentary on the place where God’s throne resides. In the last two years we have made much of Heaven together, dear readers. I have to admit, it is not just Heaven I understand a bit better through these meditations, but the God of Heaven as well. If you would like to read past “Heaven” posts you can find them under the Heaven page by clicking on the Pastor Wrinkles/Heaven icon above.
Then I replied to them, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.” Neh. 2:20
I first thought about beginning a blog back in 2009 as I was considering the empty nest that was about to become my home. With the kids moving on I thought it would probably be a perfect time to revisit my dreams of writing. And what better to write about than something I was experiencing? As I prayed about it I quickly got the title, “Reinventing the We’ll”. I felt like my dreams were right on track; Then I started sharing my vision with others. Responses varied somewhere between a luke warm “What a pleasant idea.” and “Why on Earth would anyone want to do something like that?”
I quickly learned the golden rule of all dream walkers: All God dreams come complete with built-in detractors. It seems that every time a man or a woman endeavors to walk in God’s blessing nay-sayers immediately arrive on the scene to stir up trouble and doubt.
Nehemiah didn’t even get the rebuilding of Jerusalem off the ground before the “You can’t do that crowd” showed up and started picketing the project.
I wonder if Nehemiah anticipated the confrontation. He certainly had an answer ready for his antagonists. He didn’t rely on his own authority. He didn’t turn to the governor or the High Priest of Israel for support. He didn’t even come at Sanballat or Tobiah in the name of the King of Persia who had granted him the authority for the project. Nehemiah went right to the top and claimed his authority from the Lord of lords…the King of kings… the God of Heaven saying, “The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem.”
I know that all of us would wish that our dreams could come to pass without struggles but I think there is something of God in the dramatic nature of walking in our dreams. Somewhere in the battle to realize our heart purposes we are changed and in that process we become worthy to carry the precious products of our God-given desires.
Today you may be facing “dream detractors”. Don’t be shocked. Don’t be afraid. Such challenges are absolutely normal.
One last thing, don’t be too aggravated with your detractors. They do not have the benefit of dreaming your dreams. That is a special gift from God given only to you. How could they be excited about your vision? They have never seen it.
Lillie-Put 