Have you ever built a new house? If you are anything like me, you counted the days until you could move in. When the framing went up on our current home, I waltzed through the rooms imagining what life would be like in my new abode. I wanted to move in. But we needed walls. At the addition of the sheetrock, I arranged and rearranged the furniture in my head. I was ready to move in. But paint and flooring were necessary first.

When at last color was on the walls and the carpet installed, I was sure I needed to move in. From all appearances everything was ready. But there were details not visible to me that were necessary before receiving a certificate of occupancy or C.O. Were I to move in the house too soon, there could be danger for my family or me. No matter how desperately I wished to move in, it just wasn’t in my best interest without that essential slip of paper.

Dreams God has placed in my heart are a lot like that house. As soon as the vision of a particular dream is in my mind, I need for it to take place. At least, I think I do. Yet, the Builder of all things, the Architect of my Life, is still working to make it happen. Our Lord places dreams in our hearts to allow our minds to comprehend where He is taking us. But the reality doesn’t happen instantaneously. He has to smooth the foundation, frame walls, and lay flooring.

Were we to rush into a dream willy nilly, God wouldn’t be ready with His perfect plan. Even when all signs appear ready, there are often details not visible to us that are necessary before receiving our C.O. But don’t despair. God would not place a dream in your heart without following through and laying the foundation for making that plan happen.

What aspiration has God placed in you? A new job? A baby? A post as a missionary? A book? He is the giver of all dreams. Don’t give up, just hang on. You might just be packing your bags for a move into your grandest desire before you know it.

Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1 NIV

Carol