How far are
you willing to go? How much are you willing to sacrifice for the dream inside
you?
Really think about it.
I was recently watching an NBC Dateline web exclusive where Natalie Hawkins, mom of Olympic gold-medalist, Gabby Douglas, shared the tough sacrifices she had to make for her daughter’s dream.
While many are now celebrating this courageous mother’s faith in her gifted child’s abilities, as well as Gabby’s spectacular and historic win, make no mistake about it.
The road was tough.
Aside from making the painstaking decision to allow her child to move thousands of miles away from home, “It was hugely taxing, financially speaking,” Natalie told Dateline. “I spent a great deal of money supporting her dream and there were times where her gymnastics expenses were more than my household expenses.”
Many of us would have been deterred by those obstacles alone, right?
“We haven’t come from great wealth,” Natalie noted—something the media disrespectfully exploited.
“You know, I’m a private person and most everyone who knows that, knows that about me and about my family, so that was a little disheartening to see,” she said about the revelation of her bankruptcy filing. “And so, to see that put out in the media for everyone to see, creditor by creditor, amounts, you know, that was shocking.”
Though the road to the realization of Gabby’s dream was fraught with challenges at every turn, Natalie, who is a woman of firm faith in God, pushed forward.
Now everyone sees the benefits of that sacrifice, which makes it easy to applaud and cheer. But, just for a moment, imagine the inward turmoil Natalie had to endure while investing in a goal she had no hard proof would ever be attained.
More than likely, you can relate to some degree.
Though you may not have a child aspiring to compete in the Olympics, there is something you are currently trusting God for, even though you cannot see how it will come to pass at the moment.
I’m sure there are instances when self-doubt, worry and uncertainty creep in to cast a shadow over your hope for the future.
But don’t give up.
Don’t let road blocks, setbacks, or even the implausibility of it all get in your way. If you feel led by God to pursue a particular course, forge ahead in faith. Don’t be afraid to sacrifice for that divinely inspired dream inside you.
Keep pushing.
Continue striving.
Don’t throw in the towel when times get rough. You will attain what you’re striving for if you don’t forfeit the race.
To remind you to be persistent, I’m stirring 1 Corinthians 9:24 NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup today, you will be reminded that the only way to reach the goals God has predestined you to achieve is to keep on running toward them, sacrificing for them, and investing in them.
It’s not for naught.
If you make sacrifices for the will of God to be accomplished in your life, you will reap the harvest of that investment.
Now let’s pray together.
God, it can be difficult and discouraging following dreams, even when I know they come from You. So many challenges and struggles are facing me, making it seem impossible to complete my goals. But today, I pray that You will give me the courage to continue making sacrifices for what I know You have called me to do. And please help me stand firmly in faith, believing You to manifest every promise You have ever spoken over my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with You. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
