Generation NeXt Parenting

Guest Blogger...Cara Putnam

Dreaming Big Things with God

Over the last few years, my husband and I have found ourselves going to the movies less and watching much less TV than we used to. We try to carefully screen what our kids are exposed to and check that it lines up with our values. Some days it is easier than others. I’ve been encouraged to see more films release that have values I can get excited about.

Last week my mom and I went to see Amazing Grace, just such a film.

It has me inspired and ready to run to the library to track down biographies on William Wilberforce and William Pitt. I left the theater thinking, "God, can You use me like that?"

William Wilberforce was challenged by his friend William Pitt (the youngest Prime Minister ever in Great Britain when he was elected in 1783 at the age of 24 – anyone else feeling like you haven’t done much with your life!?!?!) to tackle the slave trade. By the way, Wilberforce was 20 when he was elected to Parliament!

But you know what? William Wilberforce’s dream of ending the slave trade took YEARS to see to fruition. And those weren't years sat waiting passively. His health was wrecked. His reputation was questioned. He and his team gathered all kinds of evidence about the evils of the slave trade. And after fifteen years of fighting he was ready to give up. I don't know about you, but after that kind of energy investment and personal cost, I might be tempted to give up, too.

But got sent people to encourage him. And others with fresh ideas on how to proceed. They went from expecting 100% change at one time to willingness to chip away at the evil. Then they were ready to play the game.

Are there dreams that have lain dormant in your heart for years? The ones that you’re not even sure if you can see under the layers of dust and life issues piled on top of them? I know that God’s been whispering in my heart that it’s time to blow on those dreams and ask Him if now is the time. Maybe He’s saying the same thing to you.

If you haven't seen this movie yet, go. But only go if you're willing to be inspired and challenged. We don't have to make a choice between loving God and changing the world. When He plants a dream in our heart...we can do both!

Now on to see The Ultimate Gift. Sounds like a great date for my birthday this weekend.

Labels: cara putnam, generation x, movies, william pitt, william wilberforce

posted by Tricia Goyer @ 8:01 AM