Recently, I was watching ”The Biggest Loser” which is quickly becoming a favorite television show. Although, I prefer the grit and intensity of programs like CSI, Criminal Minds, NCIS, etc., I have found myself deeply touched by shows like TBL and similar programs like, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. What is it about those programs that seem to cross over judgements, racial and cultural differences, and personality issues?
Those shows seem to create a common bond of bringing people together to root for the underdog, find compassion within ourselves, stimulate our desire to support and want more for another’s life, and give us momentary hope that our lives can be in a better situation than we now experience. It is a great feeling.
However, what about our lives? Often we find it easier to hope and have strength for others than we do ourselves. We can easily look into others lives to identify those things that are obstacles, bad thinking, or ways to carry out their goals only to find ourselves stumped in identifying those things for our own lives.
I have chatted with or emailed so many of you to ask, “In the next five years, what do you dream for yourself?” Most often I find the question was not considered or a limitation was placed on the dreams based on what was able to be accomplished with only a little hard work.
Today’s post is a challenge to you. It is a challenge to realize that it is time to finally let IT go. IT is whatever obstacles, past situations, conditions, fears, doubts, excuses, hindrances, reasons, people, or difficulties you have in your life that prevent you from dreaming madly, pursuing wildly and trusting completely.
As many of you have read from my book, “Damaged Goods: An Autobiography”, I came from a past of tragedy, great pain, people telling me that God could never use me because I was damaged goods, and many obstacles. A great challenge came from God to take a risk in believing in the impossible, illogical, unobtainable, and unbelievable through my eyes and to take on the dreams and visions that He placed in me that seemed guaranteed to fail. Hopefully, you have read to the end to learn, in part, that only you can accomplish what has been given for you to do.
However, the dream begins with us Dreaming Madly. That is reclaiming those lost dreams, listening to the dreams and visions that you believe God has given you that seem totally crazy and out of reach. Putting fear aside, allowing yourself to hope and long for your most wildest dreams for ministry, family, work, passions, and the use of the gifts, talents, and abilities you have been given.
Next comes our part in Pursuing Wildly. Everything is a choice and every pursuit has a cost. The cost for many of us is to finally let go. Letting go of the people we are still waiting for apologies and forgiveness to offer because of pain they caused in our past. Letting go of the lies that God could not use us to do “THAT!” Letting go of feelings that keep us trapped in believing we are not good enough, lovable enough, or acceptable enough or that we are the only ones who feel the bitter feelings we feel. Letting go of equating difficulty and obstacles with God not being in the process or forgetting us. Letting go of thinking that we are walking through this process alone and can not make it. And letting go of the insanity that our past, our current situation, who we are or what we did is greater than God’s grace and perfect plans for our good that He planted in us before we tasted a breath of life. We must be willing to take the next courageous step of moving out of what is comfortable, risk-free, pain-free, and easy. Pursue what has been placed in you like a starving man in search of a meal.
Finally, trust completely. Not in your ability, gifts, talents, strength or even willingness to do. The greatness of possibility only comes from the source that we are trusting in. If I trust in me that all that I dream and could ever imagine will happen because I’m such a doer, strong person and get things done, Lord help us all. Cause I am a mess. However, if the owner of a restaurant tells me about a delicious unbelievable 8-course meal that he will serve me but I have to wait until he has prepared everything, why wouldn’t I completely trust him? He’s the guy who owns the restaurant and can do whatever he pleases.
Same with God, perhaps he has given you a dream or vision of things to come to wet your appetite of greatness to come. He will prepare everything, including us, that is necessary to bring about what he has given. Our responsibility is to wait with hope and anticipation, continue to move, challenge, release, let go, and walk through those things he places in our path, and to trust him completely that he is in control and is sane in the midst of what looks like insanity to our eyes.
QUESTION FOR YOU: What are some of the dreams and visions He has placed in you that seem crazy to others and leave you thinking, “Okay, but seriously God!”? And what are your two top challenges in letting go in the process of waiting out those dreams and visions? I and other readers would love to know.
You can either post a comment or shoot me an email at charlotte@charlottehunt.net. Also, while you’re there, feel free to order your autographed copy of “Damaged Goods: An Autobiography” to use as a great source of encouragement as you move towards your unimaginable dreams.
Dream madly, pursue wildly, trust completely
Take care,
Charlotte
AUTHOR BIO: Charlotte Hunt is an author, Christian radio personality and counselor, vision casting facilitator, and favorite lecturer for district attorney offices, educators, addiction treatment programs, women s shelters, and child advocacy centers. She has been a national motivational and inspirational speaker for over two decades speaking with diverse audiences in the areas of childhood trauma and abuse, overcoming obstacles, women s issues, personal and spiritual growth, impacting leadership, casting vision, and reclaiming lost dreams.
Charlotte studied music education, psychology, and vocal jazz studies, went on to teach at the prestigious Oberlin Conservatory of Music and has performed and worked nationally as a music director, background vocalist, studio musician and jazz artist working with world-renown performers in the music industry. Her credits also include being a voice-over artist and stage actor with performance in national television documentaries, radio programs, PBS specials, jingles and commercials, and internationally as a runway model.
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