Vision: Dreaming a Dream

Fom a message of hope by Pastor Randy Thornton

“God created man with the power to be creative,” said Randy Thornton, senior pastor of Grace Church in Southern Pines, N.C., as he spoke at the church on a recent Sunday morning. 

Thornton, 52, said animals are born, they live and they die, but God put eternity in the heart of man; a person’s relationship with God and other people reflects the idea that God created us in his likeness.  

“God’s image is in us,” Thornton said. “You have divine design and destiny. God’s plan for you is irrevocable.”

He read this verse: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20, NIV). 

“Have you lost your vision of God’s dream for you? Has your vision bogged down?” Thornton asked. “The history of this church is a testimony to the power of a God-given dream.”

Thornton told of launching Grace Church over 20 years ago. When he brought his family from Manna Church in Fayetteville, N.C., to Southern Pines, he had few regular church attendees. He had spent two years at Grace when snow fell one Sunday morning. After the lady who led music hurried home after the worship part of that Sunday a.m. service, the only man attending said, “I’ll stay so you’ll have someone to preach to.” Thornton said he thought about giving up but knew he should stay. The church “yo-yoed” with 75-20-75-50 etc. people for 10 years. Thornton worked at UPS and pastored his fluctuating flock for 13 years before quitting UPS. Grace Church now has four fulltime assistant pastors and holds two Sunday morning services. Total Sunday morning attendance averages over 1,000. 

Thornton said some people have “no dream.” The results of having no dream are frustrations, boredom and regrets. “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law” (Proverbs 29:18).

Some have a “low dream,” he added.

We often have small dreams because dreams make us accountable. We may also fear failure or criticism – people may laugh at us.

“If you don’t try things in life, you’re never going to experience life,” Thornton said.

Some people have the “wrong dream,” he noted, and some have a “vague dream.” “A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth” (Proverbs 17:24).

“God has a dream for your life,” Thornton said. He gave these eight steps for realizing “God’s dream for you”:

1. Open your mind to God’s dream. Seek first the kingdom of God. Say, “Not my life, but Your Life.” “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe” (Proverbs 28:26).

2. Do some research. “He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame” (Proverbs 18:13).

3. Ask for advice (consultation).  “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out” (Proverbs 18:15).

4. Establish some priorities. “God didn’t create you just to have fun,” Thornton said. “If you live just for yourself, you’ll come up empty, somewhere.”

5. Evaluate the cost (calculate risk). What’s the price tag? Everything valuable in life has a price tag. Proverbs 20:25 warns that an impulsive vow traps you; you'll later want to get out of it.

6. Plan for problems. “Make plans by seeking advice…” (Proverbs 20:18). “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it” (Proverbs 22:3).

7. Be willing to risk it all. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe” (Proverbs 29:25). This involves the “principle of confrontation.”

8. Do it now. This involves the “principle of initiation.” “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3).

“Some of you have neglected your relationship with God,” Thornton said. “Some of you need to make a decision that things are going to change…I believe God is saying, ‘Don’t waste your life. Live it for me!”

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).