Dreams really do come true.
I can’t remember exactly when God first whispered to my heart: “There will be DVD studies to go along with your books.” It had to be at least nine years ago. With the promise came clear instructions not to attempt to make it happen on my own. Instead, it would be God who brought it to pass.
As the years went by, nothing happened. I wrote a third book and then a devotional. Then unexpectedly, God opened a door. Two separate publishers, one of which was my own, approached me to create DVD curriculum to accompany my books. Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit DVD Bible studies (WaterBrook Press) are already on the market, and on July 21st, Lazarus Awakening: Finding Your Place in the Heart of God will be released as well.
It’s been an amazing journey!
When my publisher gave the go ahead to film the final project in Israel, God not only fulfilled His original promise, He went beyond and made a precious dream come true. For a seed had been planted in my heart three years before, when my husband John and I took our first trip to Israel.
I went to the Holy Land expecting to see Mary and Martha everywhere I went. Especially when John and I arrived early to take a side trip to Bethany. After spending so many years studying and speaking about these two sisters, I could hardly wait to visit the place they called home.
But instead of meeting Mary and Martha in Israel, it was Lazarus I encountered everywhere we went – especially when John and I visited the tomb where traditions says he once lay, held captive by death until Jesus had set him free. Here’s a little video of that moment…
Here are a few pictures of our trip…
Dreaming God’s Way
After three long years of overlapping projects and crunching to meet deadlines, it’s hard to believe we are just a few days from the release of Lazarus Awakening: the DVD Study. (Update: now available here). Looking back, there were so many times when I felt overwhelmed by the size of the task. Times when I questioned whether or not the world really needed yet another DVD Bible study – and if they did, was I really the person to create it?
Though I feel insufficient and completely unworthy, I can tell you this: God is faithful to keep His word. What He promises, He’s accomplishes. When He asks, He enables. So if there’s a dream God put in your heart that seems a long time in coming, here’s a couple of tips for the journey:
- Don’t get weary in well-doing – Keep doing what God has placed in front of you. Be faithful in the little things.
- Leave the timing to God – Don’t run ahead…don’t lag behind. You can trust His sovereignty – He has your best in mind.
- Refuse to take matters into your own hands – Trust God to accomplish His purposes. Don’t try to finish “by the flesh” what was begun “in the Spirit” (Galatians 3:3 NKJV).
God will perform His work in you as you stay surrendered to Him. However, when the promise does come don’t be surprised that “living the dream” turns out to be a whole lot of work! I can testify to that.
But as we do our part, God will take care of the rest. And watching Him work on our behalf is the sweetest adventure of them all!
I would love for you to continue this journey with me: Filming Lazarus Awakening – Preparing for Israel
Disclosure: I make a small commission for purchases made through any affiliate links used in this post.
Going deeper…
What dream seems delayed in your life?
What lessons are you learning in this season of waiting?
What “Dreaming God’s Way” tips could you add to my list above?