Dear Dreamer - Farewell 2015
Dear Dreamer,
I couldn’t think of a better way to end a year of blogging than to write a letter of you. We may have never met in real life but I’m pretty sure we have some things in common, from moments of feeling immense joy to seasons of feeling completely lost. There’s this tendency to feel like no one understands our pain or our frustrations in life, but really, if we peeled the layers of pride away, we would all learn that we indeed share more than we realize. So, before I go any further, I want to remind you that you aren’t alone.
There is someone out there feeling a bit down in the dumps. Maybe you didn’t achieve everything you set out to do in 2015. Maybe you experienced more failures than victories. Maybe heartbreak kept you from living life to the fullest. If you can relate to any of the above, don’t walk into a new year feeling defeated but rather understand that you were not created to walk around with your head down (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). The enemy knows what lives inside of you and you better believe he will look for every opportunity to keep you from your purpose! It’s time for you to pick your head up and exercise faith, patience, and pure determination.
I can tell you that it's not easy to do something you've never done before. There's uncertainty and doubt and sometimes we look to people to validate our dreams. We feel like we can’t step out on faith until the people closest to us tell us that we can do it. Well, there are women out there who are still waiting on those words to be spoken by their friends and family. If this has been your experience, let me be the one to tell you that you are more than capable. The Holy Spirit lives in you (1 Corinthians 3:16) and therefore, that is the only validation that you need. Don't wait for anyone to tell you that you can do something and if you're lacking support, use that as your motivation to start chasing your dreams.
Believe in the gifts that God has given you. Believe that the journey will not be the same for all of us but the outcome will be the same and that is victory. Even if you don’t know the how or the when, don’t let go of the dreams that keep you up at night. Don’t be intimidated by all the question marks but find peace in knowing that God has all the answers. Position yourself to hear from God so that His plans become your plans. Let God do His thing but you have to take the first step. Whether it be enrolling in school, starting that business, or starting a non-profit, you’ve got to get up and get to work.
I don’t know where your relationship with God is, but I believe with all my heart that true success comes when we partner with God. This might be the perfect time to take a look at your relationship with God and how it can be better. Sometimes guilt and shame can make us feel like we are unworthy of God’s love but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Know that nothing will ever separate you from God’s love (Romans 8:39). He is better to us than we are to ourselves and His love runs deeper than any mistake, sin, or strong hold we have ever experienced. I want to encourage you to walk into the new year knowing that God has never and will never turn His back on you. He loves you deeply with no stipulations.
Falling in love with God is something I hope we all experience throughout our lives. We have to do more than just read God’s word. We have to believe in it, trust it, and practice it. It takes discipline but intentionally seeking God in all things is so worth it. We have a responsibility to make God a priority in our lives so while we make time for whatever it is we want for our lives, let's make sure we designate time for God as well.
One of the biggest lessons I learned in 2015 is that God is bigger than any fear that we have. While we may not share the same fears, it can still have the same effect. It can hold us back from our purpose and strip us of our confidence. It’s time to face your fears and exercise some faith! Let’s approach all things with boldness because we understand that with God is our strength and through Him all things are possible (Philippians 4:13). Sure set backs will happen, but when the unexpected happens, that’s when we can expect God to show up! Our God is a powerful God and life has taught me that sometimes set backs are really just reminders that we aren’t in control of anything. That means when things don’t go your way, keep going!
I hope and pray that 2016 will be everything you want it to be. It’s my prayer that we would be a light in this world that seems to be filled with so much darkness. I hope that we as Christian women would encourage one another. Remember to never put God in a box and never let your circumstances distract you from whatever God has placed on your heart to do. I hope that you will experience abundant joy, success, and growth in every area of your life.
Remember that daily reminders of who God is and who you are because He is your father is critical because this world can be mean, ugly, and down right discouraging. Walk into the new year knowing that you are enough. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are capable. Dream without limitations and trust that God will be with you every step of the way.
K R Y S T L E
