Welcome to the Determined to Dance podcast with your host, Jennifer Hallmark.

Today’s episode, “Vision: Dreams and Dancing” focuses on the dreams in our heart and the vision we need to see them fulfilled.

Are you ready? The world would have us march to its chaotic beat but God invites us to dance in His will and His way. Let’s take a moment to be energized, refreshed, and motivated to face the day, one spin and twirl at a time.

Show Notes: Vision: Dreams and Dancing

God plants dreams in our hearts as lights to the path of his will.

Long after I wrote this sentence, I pondered its meaning. I believe with all my heart that God gives us dreams or visions, those aspirations or hopes for the present and the future.

I’ve never thought of the path to God’s will as lit by our dreams but it makes sense.

In His plan and purpose for us, the dreams he places within are the perfect vehicle to move us forward, from one place to the next. We dream of going to school, finally getting out of school, finding a career, a home, a place, and people to call our own. We are forever fancying the kind of future we see played out in books, movies, or other people’s lives.

Dreams or visions of what could be, should be, keep us in the dance. And what a wonderful gift a dream is. Children have no trouble dreaming. Only when our imaginings have not come to pass in the way we envision do we start to lose the ability to dream.

Let’s learn from the little ones when it comes to dreams and dancing.

First, children conceive. They constantly daydream and imagine life to the full. They are wide open to accept the vision that God plants within their hearts. I’ll never forget my days as a pre-teen, imagining my future as a published author. I spent hours writing and thinking about books with my name on them and fame and fortune.

Second, children believe. They don’t overanalyze or doubt when a dream is first birthed in their hearts. They instead embrace them to the full. I’ll never consider it a waste that I once thought of being a ballerina, a singer, and an artist. It has been part of who I am. I took dance lessons at one time, sang at church, and dabbled in all forms of art over the years and though I never became what I thought I might, my life has been richer because of those dreams.

And third, children receive. Youngsters open their hearts to dreaming and allow them to light their path. Dreams grow us and enlarge our place in the world. As adults, though, we sometimes allow the lights to dim and fade. How many stories have you heard from others about the good old days? It’s easy to think about that one time we danced and how wonderful it was? But why did they retire so soon from their dreams?

What about you? Have you seen your vision of life fall to the wayside, dim beyond the point of being re-lit? God is holding out his hand, right now, as He stands on the dance floor. He placed those dreams within your heart for a reason and longs for them to burn bright again.
CS Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
I like that. And here’s something Allen Arnold told me years ago that I’ve kept hidden in my heart. He said, “It is time to dream new dreams and tell new stories. Keep your eyes on what is before you rather than behind you.”

A good word as we accept the outstretched hand of God once again. He is more than ready to resurrect an old dream or even plant a new one within your heart. Let’s ask him, shall we?

Father God, by faith, we take hold of your hand and say yes to your dream. Whether it’s a dream rekindled or one brand new, as long as You are with us, we step onto the path lit by the vision. Like a child, we are eager to see where you are leading. Have your way, Lord, every day for the rest of our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

I’m ready to dream. I know you are too. Let’s walk down the path together in childlike wonder. Next week,