A dream, a fantasy, and a nightmare present themselves to you. The dream comes from God. The fantasy is your own creation. The nightmare is the consequence of the wrong choice. To which will you give your attention?

Nightmares may sell books and movie tickets, but they are no fun in real life.

Fantasies sound like fun and feel kind of like fun while we daydream, but they never work out the way we plan.

A God-given dream is always bigger and better than we imagine. Why should we expect any less? 

The Apostle Paul understood the nightmare scenario. He knew all about fantasies. He discovered the richness of living in the abundance of God’s dreams for us. In Ephesians 2:10 he says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Go back to the beginning of this chapter of Ephesians and read this verse in its context. We are saved by God’s grace to become channels of God’s blessing to the whole world. 

Turn to Ephesians 3:20, 21. These verses are among those everyone should memorize. These are among those people love committing to memory.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us,
to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.

Again, read back up the page and see the context. Verses 17-19 amplify verses 20 and 21. Verses 14-16 demonstrate a similar approach to God as that of Solomon in 1 Kings 3. Everything is all about him, about his love, his grace, his mercy, his salvation, his guidance, his provision, his deep and lasting joy!

A complete life, a full life, a meaningful life, a powerful life is the product of living the life of God’s dreams for us. When Solomon asked for an understanding heart (1 Kings 3:9), God gave him what he asked for and so much more. 

Avoid nightmares. Flee from fantasies. Live the life of God’s dreams for you. 

Pray according to the heart of God. Train your heart to desire for yourself and others what God wants for you. He loves lavishing his good gifts on those who live in concert with his plans and purpose. 

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I will live a life free from fantasies of my creation and nightmares of my self-centered focus by living the life of God’s dreams for me.

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Our Father, you are better to us than we would be to ourselves. The evil one points out what could be ours if we disobey you. He hides the painful, destructive consequences. You point out all the goodness you have created and how it enriches our lives and overflows into others to the praise of your glory forever. The evil one focuses on selfish moments. You offer us enduring beauty, awe, and wonder. We choose the wonderful life you choose for us. We do so with gratitude. Amen.