The rusty sedan had seen better days.  I assumed the person sitting in the driver seat had too. Pillows, rolls of paper towels, clothing, boxes and other belongings blocked any view the rear window ever had. Immediately my thoughts sped to hoarder, homeless, or person-in-need.

I walked past the parked car on my way into work. The building wasn’t open to the public for at least another hour.  As I approached the car to see if the person might need help,  the psychedelic bumper sticker caused me slow my pace and stare.  I blinked to make sure I read it correctly. It read “Living the Dream.”

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

When we absorb scripture, we realize the Creator of the Universe loves us. He wants the best for us. Before He set the stars in the heavens and formed boundaries of the seas, He thought of you and me.

Included within the thoughts of God are His personal plans for each of us. His plans transcend the doubts and fears of living on this earthly plain.  We could never conceive of the hope-filled plans God has for our lives. Plans that far exceed any of our expectations or design.

What is blocking your “rear view mirror” of the beautiful dream God has for you? What are you desperately clutching that is preventing you from opening your grasp to accept His gift for you?

We place boundaries on He who is boundless. Our trust is in what we can see, feel and touch rather than what He sets before us.  We cling to earthly possessions as if they can keep us safe or give us value rather than opening our hands to accept His gift for us.

God wants to help you live His dream for your life.

There could be a variety of reasons that brought this person to be in a beat up car stuffed  with their personal belongings on this early morning.  Maybe they were forced to live on the streets or in a box labeled, “Kenmore.” Whatever the circumstance causing them to be in a beat-up old car in a parking lot of a closed building, my prayer for them is they are willing and able to accept God’s love and dream for their life.