How to Know You’re Chasing the Right Dream

This morning it was really foggy here in Roseburg, Oregon. I really dislike driving in thick fog, but that’s the reality of living in this part of the United States. Driving along I am unable to see far in front of me and I really want the whole picture. Even with a road, I have driven many times I still feel uneasy with the lack of clarity.

This isn’t the only area of my life that I hate fog. I hate fog with my dreams, however, that’s the reality of chasing dreams. We can’t see ahead of us and we want the whole picture. An audible voice from God saying, “We are on the right track” and when we will get there would be nice too. That’s not too much to ask for, is it?

Unless we are going to sit waiting for the fog to clear, we need to learn to drive in the fog and heck even thrive. If we are going to Chase Dreams in a Minivan we need to show that fog who’s boss.

We need to know where we are going.

When we are driving somewhere we have a destination in mind. With your dreams, you need to have an end in mind. Where are you driving? When we have no destination in our brain, we get lost in the fog. We can get turned around and end up somewhere we never intended to go. Write down where you are going and how long you are working in that direction.

When we write down our dream and timeline we are working toward the goal. We have a navigation system that keeps our overall direction and decreases the confusion in our mind. It frees our mind to drive.

We need to focus on what we do see.

The thing that can get us in trouble in fog is trying to see and FOCUS on things we can’t see. We waste mental energy obsessing over what (if’s) or is this what God has for me? When we focus on everything that is not now and not in our control we have pulled over to the side of the road. Standing still in the fog is dangerous!

What should you be doing now? If it’s resting, then rest. If you should be spending time with your spouse, then spend time with your spouse. If you should be working on the dream, then work on the dream. Be in the moment and be faithful with what you should be doing NOW.

Check up!

When we are driving through fog, once in a while the road will open up and we can see more of the picture. In those moments we should be looking at the road we are on and if we are going in the right direction. These moments feel really good, but they drift back into the fog really fast. In those moments look around. Are you still driving in the right direction? Do you need to adjust anything you are doing?

These checkups are not a destination; they are moments in time. Keep driving and don’t get suckered into stopping on those “feel good” clear sections. Step back into the fray of fog. The clarity can be seductive; that’s not where we are designed to stay.

Focus on what you can control and move in the direction you think you should go and you will be an expert on the foggy road. You were built for this. You were made to chase dreams, just don’t forget to bring your family with you.

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Originally published on Zechariah Newman

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