Sunday Rockin Chair Thoughts Pt5

Everything we need to succeed is on the inside of us; in our spirit, soul and body. A dream “sees” the invisible, our heart believes the invisible, our mind forms a plan to make the invisible possible and our body carries out the necessary action to make our dreams reality. When we make dreams come true, when we reach for something “beyond ourselves” it leads us to places and situations that build the character we need to keep and maintain the blessing that comes from making dreams come true. It also affects everyone around us. It even affects people we’ll never meet because our success has a ripple effect that causes others to succeed. Our actions network around the planet because we’re all connected at the heart. We’re all created in the image of God.

Michelangelo walked into the Sistine chapel and looked up at the ceiling. He “saw” (with the eyes of his spirit) a painting; a work of art. He “saw” a place to use his talent and ability; his gift. He “saw” the finished painting on the ceiling, and then he set out to do it. He made his dream come true. Maybe he considered the fact that he would spend forty years on his back, maybe he didn’t, and that’s beside the point because he followed his dream & vision, counted the cost and made it happen.

Follow me on this; as a songwriter, I sit in a room or studio (wherever) with a guitar, a piece of paper and a pen and I write a song. I take the song into the studio with other musicians and record it. I make necessary contacts to have the song distributed and played on radio stations in today’s world. People like what they hear and they purchase the song. The process from “my pen” to “your ear” then creates a family of people around the world who appreciate my work. But, as I sat in my room, before I wrote one word or one chord, I “saw” the whole process before it ever happened and I believed that it actually could happen. I “saw” myself turning on the radio and hearing my song - I “saw” people enjoying my music - I “saw” myself onstage performing my song for them - I “saw” myself doing radio interviews - I “saw” lives being touched by my music. In my heart and soul, I “saw” my success before it ever happened. Now, that’s faith in action! On the other hand, I could have given in to doubt fear and unbelief. I could’ve talked myself right out of my dream before it ever started! I could have said, “ohhh, this will never happen for me, no one will ever wanna’ hear my little ol’ song, it’s too much work … what if they don’t like my music … what if they laugh at me … there’s too much competition … how can I believe that my song will ever be heard around the world?” Well, I chose to believe that I could and would … and I did! I was fully persuaded that God would bring His plan and purpose for my life to pass … and He did.

Are there challenges? You bet! Are there heartaches and disappointments? Absolutely! Did I ever doubt myself and give up … yes! But the joy that comes from crossing the finish line overpowers any memory of the trials and situations we encounter along the way. I’ve witnessed childbirth firsthand. I’ve watched a woman bring a baby into the world; I’ve seen the pain on her face during labor and then after the baby is born the pain is overshadowed by the joy of holding her baby - she’s ready to have another one! Amazing! You have to “see” yourself crossing the finish line before you ever enter the race; if you don’t … you’ll never even put on your running shoes and you’ll miss out on the good life that God has already set aside for you. We already have it – we just have to go and get it! Make it happen!