I don’t have my college degree. Just thought I’d be upfront with you.

I’ve been a college senior for 17 years now. Occasionally, I reapply and head back and take a class. I’d forgotten how often I’d done it until a few weeks ago.  

It hadn’t ever been my dream to finish it. Until last year, when it was. So back to school I went. Only this time, it was different. I was all there. Probably a little too much.  

I was beyond thrilled. I knew … KNEW … this was what I was headed to do. Finish that degree. My graduation date was etched in my mind.  

For the first time in my life, I checked out graduate degree catalogs. Oh, the sky was the limit. My dream was set and I had a direction. Not a God-sized dream mind you, but something to head towards.

Until, just to be safe, and to ease a small unrest I felt far down in that place that gives you a check in your spirit, I turned it over to God. I wasn’t scared though. I knew He was on board.  

He had all but handed me that degree.

This feeling, that could have easily been ignored, was just fear; I assured myself as I packed it all up and gave it back to Him.

And then a funny thing happened on the way to my dream.

He didn’t give it back.

Um, God?

Remember me, the college student? I’d already owned that new identity. I put the license plate on the back of my car AGAIN. God, don’t do this to me now. Because, here’s the thing, I get you, I trust you, but what will everyone else say?  

They will think I’m a flake.

So, what then?

So, God began to move in ways I couldn’t believe. Trading that dream in for The Dream.  

The one He put there.  

He brought clarity to the God-sized dream I’d heard whispers of for so long. The one that was so scary, I’d discount almost immediately after it would spring up.

The dream, that eventually, after He’d grown and nurtured, would melt the fear of the flake label. In fact, if it meant being a flake to get there, I’d gladly accept the title.

I thought I knew best and I thought He was onboard. How glad I am now that His ways are higher than our ways. How glad I am to have handed back what wasn’t His perfect plan for my life.  

Have you turned your dream over to God? Do it and don’t fear never seeing it again. You just don’t know all that awaits.

(And no, I haven’t taken the license plate off the car …)

However, as it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’  —1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV