Here's To Bigger Dreams

 

 

 

 

“Dream” is a word I have loved and engaged with since I was a child, a word that I have spent a lifetime exploring. And, as I near 50, it’s a word I hardly understand. It holds the potential for wonder and hope, and also sorrow and disappointment.

For me, it’s become such a powerfully vulnerable word that some days I weary of using it, and yet every time I talk to my Father, He asks me to dream with Him. It seems to be the only thing on His mind these days.

As I look again upon a New Year, I am less sure about how to dream with God than ever before, and more sure it’s what I am on this planet to do.

I continue to discover that Acts 2:17 is true; that dreaming is an old man’s game. But the older I get the more I learn that only children can truly play it.

Dreaming is for children who have chased down vision, failed, lived through disillusionment, disappointment, loss, sorrow, and endless rejection, and still surrender their hearts to the wonder, innocence, kindness, transforming power, and goodness of Love.

“Old men dream dreams.” That’s the scripture, but it’s not about age, it’s about a journey into revelation–an awakening to a great affection for ourselves and our neighbors; it’s about loving His creation.

Dreaming is not a pretty concept, or a good principle, neither is it a brash leap or the optimistic bent; it is grace lived out, it is hope differed and promises fulfilled. (see Prov 13:12)

Only a person who has experienced the death of a dream has access to resurrection. And those words are prettier than the experience.

And so, as I enter a new year, I pray to know resurrection life, and not just for me and mine, but for you as well. I pray you would awaken to all our Father has for you. I pray you would dream “old men dreams” with the abandonment of a child and experience the wide-open places of God’s measureless love.

Even as we count the cost, I raise my glass to 2022 and say, “And if by chance it seems we’ve failed, then here’s to bigger dreams.” 

Happy New Year!

One night, nearly twenty years ago, just on the other side of loss, I went for a walk with a friend. As we walked through a field we dreamed of resurrection life. A year later I released a song that was the beginning of that promise fulfilled. I thought I’d share it with you.

Where Once I Feared To Walk

We went walking out in the field
Yeah, late tonight
Could see our breath each dream exhaled
Beneath the half moonlight

This is Life you said to me
This declared round your pipe
This is where it all works out
In dreaming we’re alive

I have dreamed and still believe
I have risked and I have lost
But looking down I see my feet
Where once I feared to walk

So we go walking out in this field
To claim our destiny
And if by chance it seems we’ve failed
Then here’s to bigger dreams.

Jason Clark is a bestselling storyteller who writes to reveal the transforming kindness of the love of God in a world traumatized by the religious abuses done in the name of the love of God. He and his wife, Karen, live in North Carolina with their three children, Madeleine, Ethan, and Eva.

5 Comments

  1. Daniel Bagan

    This article was the best way to look towards 2022 I have ever read! I am 64 and sit at the precipice of some truly big dreams being answered by God in the faith based film world. Anointed screenplays that will change the world!

    Blessings

    Dan

    Reply
    • Jason Clark

      Dan, thanks for the response.

      I am encouraged to read about the precipice you stand upon! Anointed screenplays! Seems we share a dream. My brother and I have been writing screenplays and developing stories and documentaries over the last fifteen years. We just keep dreaming 🙂

      Praying grace and wonder over you this year!

      Reply
  2. Daniel Bagan

    Hey Jason,

    Thank you for your comments. I have two faith based tv series and 5 anointed screenplays. Great bites on them all at this point in time. If the teleplays go to series I will be looking to add writers if you are interested.

    Reply
    • Jason Clark

      Ha, I just realized our connection! Joel has told me about what you’re up to and I’ve hoped to work together on the Family Story Films project. Still hopeful.

      Love that there is life on what you’re running at and absolutely, if there’s a fit, I am interested in writing on one of your projects.

      I know we’ve been on email chains from Joel, but I’ll send ya my email just in case. Excited about what’s going on with you!

      Reply
  3. Dan

    Holy crap! It is indeed a small world!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE…

The Crisis of Identity

If the story of Jesus’ life had a battle it was a daily fight for identity. If His story had an antagonist, it was doubt, better known as unbelief. And each time Jesus was confronted with the crisis of identity He chose to believe what His Father had said about Him from the very beginning. Jesus was sure in His identity.

How Much Faith Do We Need?

So, “Why couldn’t we do what you did?” And Jesus answered. “It’s because you have so little faith.” And at first read, in a world defined by measurements, that statement makes sense. If you were to ask me why your car stalled a hundred miles from home and I said, “It’s because you have so little gas,” you would think, “OK, so I just need more gas.” We read, “It’s because you have so little faith,” and our minds naturally form the question, “So, how much faith do we need? What is the measurement?” Good news, Jesus tells us! Even better news, it makes no sense…

16 Years Baby!

I don’t remember the exact first time I told Karen I loved her. I do remember the first time I kissed her.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Heavenly Father, you have been revamping and rebooting my systems for years, bringing me into greater awareness of this wonder-filled life you have offered and accomplished for me! Thank you!

Father Abraham, Tacos, and God’s Goodness

If Facebook existed during Abraham’s day, I imagine he would have been angry at my thoughts about God’s goodness.

My Hermeneutic

As a relational fella, all I can tell ya is, the more confident I become in reconciling love, the less hard stuff wrestling I do with the Book.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share This

Share this post with your friends!