We all have dreams. Some are small, like hoping to get a promotion at work or to save up for a nice vacation. Others are big, like wanting to start a successful business or make a positive impact on the world. As Christians, God calls us to have faith and dream big dreams for our lives. Why? Because our God is the God of the impossible (Luke 1:37). When we walk with Him, nothing is too difficult for Him (Jeremiah 32:17).
Key Takeaways:
- God created us in His image to do great things for His glory
- Throughout Scripture, God encourages and empowers His people to dream big
- Faith in a big God leads to big dreams and bold prayers
- God wants to do immeasurably more in our lives than we can imagine
- There is power in biblical confidence and positive thinking for Kingdom goals
- Big dreams require risk, faith, and dependence on God rather than self
- God blesses big dreams that align with His purposes and bring Him glory
In the following article, we will explore biblical truths about why God wants us to dream big and how we can align our dreams with His purposes. May this encourage and inspire you to have God-sized dreams and to trust Him fully to accomplish them for His glory.
Made in God’s Image to Do Great Things
We are not mere products of random chance in an indifferent universe. No, we have been uniquely created in the very image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). That means we have intrinsic value, dignity, and purpose. As image-bearers of almighty God, we have been crafted to do great things that bring glory to our Creator.
The first words God spoke to humans were a blessing to be fruitful and multiply, to fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over every living thing (Genesis 1:28). This was a big dream from the very beginning! God created humans for dominion, not domination. He longs for us to cultivate flourishing in creation as His stewards.
Being made in God’s image gives us great significance. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God has prepared unique good works for each of us! We are not here by accident but rather on assignment. God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Our Creator has gifted and empowered us to bear His likeness by doing meaningful work for His Kingdom.
As Christians, we are also indwelt by God’s Spirit. With His power in us, we have the ability to accomplish things far greater than we could in our own strength (Zechariah 4:6). Being made in God’s image with God’s Spirit inside us enables us to dream big and do great exploits for eternity. We were made for so much more than just existing and trying to be comfortable. God’s vision for our lives is bigger and better than anything we could conceive.
Scripture Encourages Big Dreams
Throughout Scripture, we find stories of God encouraging His people toward seemingly impossible dreams. God often called individuals and the nation of Israel to take bold steps of faith and pursue big dreams so they could see Him do the miraculous.
For example, God called Abraham to leave his home and family to go to a distant land that God wanted to give him as an inheritance (Genesis 12:1-4). Abraham obeyed, and through this BIG dream, God blessed him abundantly and used him to launch the nation of Israel.
Joseph had a God-given dream that his brothers and even his parents would one day bow down to him (Genesis 37:5-11). This was a preposterous dream for a 17-year-old boy, especially one hated by his brothers! Yet God brought Joseph through many trials to eventually position him as second-in-command over all Egypt, fulfilling the dream.
After four hundred years of slavery in Egypt, Moses was called by God to demand freedom for Israel and lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:7-10). Talk about a huge dream! Yet God empowered Moses for this daunting task and made Israel His own treasured possession through their Exodus from Egypt.
And who could forget young David going up against the giant Goliath? What a crazy dream to think this inexperienced shepherd boy could defeat a warrior champion. But God was with him, and David stepped out in bold faith (1 Samuel 17). His big dream was rooted in God’s honor, not his own glory. This courageous act paved the way for David to one day become king over all Israel.
In the New Testament, Jesus presented plenty of big dreams to His followers. He called them to leave their occupations, abandon worldly securities, take up their cross, love their enemies, forgive seventy times seven, make disciples of all nations, and much more (Matthew 16:24, 28:19-20; Mark 11:22-24). The disciples were required to pursue BIG dreams that could only be accomplished through dependence on Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them.
These examples show how throughout history, God has called His people to dreaming big for His glory. Though faith and obedience, He used their willingness to boldly follow Him to display His power and accomplish His purposes.
A Big God Enables Big Dreams
Deep down, many of us may feel unworthy or inadequate to pursue truly big dreams. We’re aware of our failings and limitations, so we don’t want to get too ambitious. But Scripture tells us to have bold faith because we have an even bigger, utterly capable God.
The prophet Jeremiah declared, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17). Our God created the entire universe with just the power of His word. There is nothing impossible for Him!
Jesus told His followers, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). With faith in Christ, even our small mustard seed-sized dreams can become reality because we are rooted in His infinite power.
Paul prayed, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20-21). God is able to accomplish more than we could ever dream up on our own. His power within us knows no bounds!
In the book of Ephesians, Paul says we have been seated with Christ in the heavenly realms and raised up with Him above all other powers and authorities (Ephesians 1:18-2:7). Therefore, we can have bold access to God and confidence that His “mighty power” is at work within us who believe (Ephesians 1:19, 3:12).
Believer, the same power that raised Christ from the dead lives inside of you (Romans 8:11)! Through faith, you have access to the limitless might of the Creator of the universe. Why then should you limit what God can do in and through you by not daring to dream big? Our great God deserves great dreams that bring glory and praise to His name.
Dream Big and Pray Boldly
If your dreams aren’t intimidating you, then there’s a good chance God wants to stretch your faith further. In prayer, lay out your deepest desires, wildest dreams, and biggest visions before God. Present them boldly and unapologetically. Our Lord is not offended by big requests that are within His will!
The Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesian church “that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18-19). Paul prayed big because he understood the immense inheritance, hope, and power Christ’s followers have access to through faith.
In John 14:12-14, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Christ’s followers can accomplish greater works than even He did during His earthly ministry through believing prayer and the Father’s power. Dream big and pray boldly!
The prayers throughout Scripture aligned with God’s purposes and brought glory to Him. Our big dreams and bold prayers should do the same. As 1 John 5:14 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” Keep God’s will and glory central when dreaming big with Him.
Risks and Rewards of Big Dreams
Pursuing wildly big dreams requires great risk, just as stepping out in faith often does. We may look foolish if our God-sized dreams don’t pan out as we hope. Giants still seem pretty big up close. Obstacles will surely arise to discourage us. Following divine callings can disrupt comfortable life routines.
But are the monumental eternal rewards of daring to dream big with God really outweighed by the earthly risks of the unknown or potential failure? Many biblical figures were willing to risk reputation, comfort, safety, and even their lives to follow God’s big dreams for them. Their courageous faith continues inspiring Christians today.
In reality, not even our highest dreams can come close to grasping all that God desires to do in and through us for His glory. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” If we truly want the abundant life Christ promises (John 10:10), we must be willing to take great risks and surrender humbly to God’s big dreams for us.
When we follow divine leadings rather than playing it safe, we make space for the Holy Spirit to move mightily. Even if the bold dreams on our hearts don’t materialize exactly as we imagine, pursuing them brings breakthrough, beauty and spiritual growth. We serve a faithful God who redeems all things and works all difficulties for our eventual good (Romans 8:28). The risks of daring to dream big are far outweighed by the eternal significance God births through our faith.
Depend on God, Not Self
A crucial aspect of dreaming big is remembering that God ultimately builds the dream in and through us by His power. Our role is faithful obedience. The moment we start believing we can achieve big dreams by our own talents and strength is the moment pride creeps in and heavenly purposes slip away.
The Apostle Paul said, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Paul accomplished incredible things for God’s Kingdom, but he rightly acknowledged it was entirely by God’s grace, not his own effort.
John the Baptist modeled humility by saying of Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30). Our core motivation should be lifting up Christ rather than self. He must receive the glory. Big dreams require surrendering our will, abilities, and very lives to God’s leading and empowerment.
When we abide in Christ, allowing Him to live through us, then nothing is impossible (John 15:5, Philippians 4:13). He may expand our dreams far beyond what we thought possible! But the moment we disconnect those dreams from intimate reliance on Jesus, everything falls apart.
So dream big by all means. But stay humble, submitted and closely connected to the Vine (John 15:4-5). Apart from Christ, we wither and fail. By abiding in Him, we bear fruit that brings glory and pleasure to our Father in heaven (John 15:8). That is the type of big dream God blesses.
Align Dreams with God’s Purposes
God-sized dreams require full alignment with God’s character and purposes. There are good, better, and best dreams. The highest and best are those which most clearly display and advance Christ’s Kingdom. These bring God the most glory and pleas
So as we dream big, we must continually ask: Does this dream come from God’s Spirit or my selfish flesh? Is this dream federally centered on Jesus and biblically aligned with Scripture? Does this dream ultimately point people to Christ and build God’s eternal Kingdom? Will this dream expand opportunities for the Gospel?
Certainly, big dreams may include desiring to bless others, provide for our families, make discoveries, develop skills and talents, create beauty, accomplish what seems impossible. But the overarching motivation must be living for Christ and laying up eternal treasures rather than temporal successes (Matthew 6:19-21).
Paul wrote, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Seeking the applause of the world is worthless compared to hearing Christ say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). We must check our motives to ensure our dreams ultimately align with the praises of God.
God Multiplies Blessings
One beautiful aspect of God-sized dreams is that they typically end up blessing far more people than we originally imagined. By setting our hope and efforts on things above rather than being consumed with earthly ambitions, God adds heavenly rewards and fruitfulness beyond what we could fathom (Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 3:20).
In Genesis 12, God promised to bless Abraham so “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Abraham stepped out in big faith, following God’s crazy dream. As he pursued God’s seemingly impossible promises, Abraham was generously blessed. More importantly, he became the father of many nations and an ancestor to Christ Himself. Today, billions of people have been blessed through this one man’s obedience to God’s outsized dream!
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells a parable about three servants who were entrusted with different amounts of money. The servants who invested and risked the master’s money for a return were rewarded with greater responsibility. But the fearful servant who buried his single talent was scolded for not even putting it in the bank to earn interest.
Sometimes our dreams feel small and insignificant, not daring enough to change the world. But placed faithfully in the hands of the Master, our little becomes much. God is endlessly creative and able to exponentially multiply meager dreams and efforts when directed toward His glory. Small steps of faithfulness can catalyze huge waves of blessing.
Conclusion
What if we stepped out like Abraham and believed Romans 4:20-21? “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Do we believe that the all-powerful Creator of the universe wants to bless us, empower us, and accomplish stunning feats through our yielded lives?
Dream big, friends! There is so much our great God wants to do through those who believe (Ephesians 3:20). He is able. But we must be willing. Only bold faith and obedience unlock more of the fullness of life Christ died to give us (John 10:10).
May the testimonies covered here challenge and encourage you to spend time with your heavenly Father listening for His dreams for your life. He crafted and called you for great purpose. Align your biggest dreams and boldest prayers with God’s heart. Depend fully on His Spirit. Take risks for the Kingdom. Watch expectantly as you partner with the Lord of the impossible! He is faithful.
