Above The Line Article:
"Dreams vs. Your
Calling"
By Erik Carlson
I was sitting on a park bench visiting with a 90-year-old
man named Gil and his daughter, Bonnie. They were at the
‘Joni and Friends’ special needs camp our family
attended in the Santa Cruz Redwood mountains a couple of
weeks ago. I love listening to first-hand stories of surviving
the Great Depression; and life wisdom from my elders.
After listening for an hour to fascinating life stories,
they asked me about me (one of my favorite topics). I shared
with them how I have been speaking and entertaining, and
how the Lord has used that in my life. For a few reasons,
I had a lack of confidence in this area of my life, so when
they assured me that God wouldn’t put such a dream
in my heart for the past 25 years if He didn’t want
to continue using me in that way, it gave me a renewed hope.
But just yesterday, it was brought to my attention by some
good friends who know me deeply; both the good and the bad.
They said “Erik, it’s about time you stopped
using the word ‘dream’, and start using the
word ‘Calling’. This is your calling, and you
know it. When you’re following that, it is an act
of obedience to the Lord, not just chasing a dream.”
 Wow.
For some reason, I never looked at it that way. But I have
received many confirmations that my speaking and entertaining
is the ‘life work’ God has called me to. For
instance, I had a Facebook message from the youth pastor
in Lewiston, Idaho, that told me a high school girl named
Chrissy, who was in a group home that I performed and spoke
in, had ‘miraculously’ opened up after my visit.
She was the classic example of the kid who sat in the corner
ignoring the message and wouldn’t let anyone into
her world. Well, I saw her there and, during my magic act,
I went up to her and did some magic with her in front of
her friends. She lit up the room with her smile and laughter
that, until then, was nowhere to be found. So when my youth
pastor friend, who sees her weekly, told me that she has
totally opened up and is receiving the Gospel message of
love from Christ, I take feedback like that as confirmation
that I’m in my ‘sweet spot’ within my
calling.
So enough about me… what do YOU think of me…
I mean YOU!!! What are the dreams that have been with you
as long as you can remember? Are they still dreams? Are
you living them? Has there been confirmation that you are
in God’s pleasure when you are doing this? Is it time
to graduate your dream to your calling? Give this some thought.
Run it by close friends who really know you; warts and all!
Living above the line is what I often call the 3:20 factor
(Ephesians 3:20), where God will do exceedingly and abundantly
far more than you could ever ask or imagine…Let’s
encourage each other in this area. Affirm a friend, and
be open to your own affirmation of your calling.
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