Fear Not Dream Big & Execute Read online

  Fear Not,

  Dream Big,

  & Execute

  Tools to

  Spark Your Dream

  and Ignite Your Follow-Through

  Jeff Meyer

  Copyright © 2018

  Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools to Spark Your Dream and Ignite Your Follow-Through

  Jeff Meyer

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  ISBN: 978-0-692-16884-4

  Foreword

  Most dreams die before they ever get a chance to grow.

  It’s not failure that kills them. It is fear. This could be one of the reasons why “Fear not” is one of the most common commands of God to His followers in the Bible.

  Because fear is real, even for leaders (especially for leaders), our dreams are usually untapped. We don’t dream BIG. We dream little.

  God has created you to dream. He urges you to crave your own BIG dream. You were not created to merely carry out someone else’s.

  You were created to live a life of service, yes, but service can be weighty if we don’t unearth our own, unique, God-given vision. We’ll soon be buried under expectations unless we uncover a simple rhythm that helps us implement OUR dream. In this book I want to explore these truths.

  When I work with ministry professionals, Jesus-followers, and those in the help profession, I see a common two-fold pattern: 1) Christian leaders are hesitant to dream and even when they do, 2) they often fail to execute. Many have never envisioned their future with the clarity required to realize such a future. They struggle to identify and articulate a clear forward direction, and so, they adopt the expectations of others in place of their own. Eventually this hazy rudderlessness compromises their very identity. And no one can rest easy if they lack a basic foundation.

  What I want to do here is spark unsettled leaders to envision their future with the clarity necessary for realization! And by giving them simple ideas they can put into practice, this book will encourage them to pursue their future with relentless determination.

  This is my hope for you. And, not just for you, but for the many who will benefit from the realization of your dream.

  Look, you are an influence on those around you already. As such, you may as well put in the effort to make that influence as positive as you’d like it to be.

  I invite you to join me in this worthy pursuit. The lessons contained in this book come from one who is with you on the journey. It is not that I have mastered these lessons, but I have felt the benefit of continued efforts to abide by them.

  If I could borrow Paul’s words to the Philippians for a moment: “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But, I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me” (New Living Translation, Philippians 3:12).

  Yeah, it’s like that.

  Once the dream is sparked, execution is imperative. There is no magic bullet. Resilience and mental fortitude are needed. You will need to learn how to overcome resistance and obstacles. This little book of lessons will aid you in doing that.

  So, if you could stand to diminish fear in your life and you get excited about the notion of dreaming BIG. And, you would like to work on focusing your attention, utilizing your gifts, removing distractions, and increasing your productivity, then read on.

  To be a co-creator with Him for the benefit of others is life’s most fulfilling purpose.

  How to make this book work for you.

  I have divided this book into two parts. One part is focused on discovering your dream (Dream Sparks). The other, on realizing the dream (Realization Strategies). Start wherever you find that you need the most support. If you are a discipline machine, but are not really sure where you are headed, start with Part 1. If you have a dream yet find it difficult to execute, go ahead and start with Part 2.

  You may also find it more advantageous to pick and choose chapter titles that scratch an itch. These chapters are not sequential. To help with this method I have placed a checklist of chapters that you can use to mark off as you complete them.

  Most importantly, take time with the contents. Sit and reflect with each lesson. Complete the exercises in the Try This sections. No, seriously. Commit to following through or this book could end up like every other book on your shelf. I want this book to facilitate real change in your life and that requires commitment on your part. Consider this a journal prompting, behavioral adjustment tool. We don’t master something by reading it. We master by living it.

  And, finally, please share your discoveries with me at [jeffmeyer.org] or drop me a note at [email protected] I would love to hear from you.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to...

  my wife Amy for her eternal devotion and daily support,

  my children Kyla, Jonathan, Kacie, Matt, Abbey and Alli for your interest and creativity,

  my sweet Bailey, Emmersen, and Calington for your joy and steady love,

  my teammates at the Church in Madison, for your patience, partnership, creativity, and commitment to our mission and vision,

  the members of the Church in Madison for your patience and partnership in connecting people to life in Jesus,

  my coach and friend Lynn Schoener, for her genuine interest in my life and contribution. There is no way I would be pursuing a dream like this book without her consistent encouragement,

  the PLI family for your willingness to experiment and risk,

  my colleagues at Auxano for your relentless commitment to clarity and the church,

  my parents Ron and LouAnn Meyer, for your unconditional love and faithful witness through all my years,

  Amy’s parents and my second set of parents Rich and Wendy Eckart for accepting me and welcoming me into your awesome family, including entrusting me with the best gift of all, your daughter, my dearest Amy,

  my siblings (on both sides) Jenni, Andy, Janelle, Donald, Steve and Vicki, Liz, Scott and Elsa,

  my Launch Team for your insight and confidence,

  Dan, Dan, Dan, and Dan, (crazy number of Dan’s right?) Bob, Alan, Greg, Larry, Paul and Gerri for your friendship, accountability and undying support, and

  the ONE and ONLY Dream-maker for allowing me to participate and share in His dream.

  Part 1

  Dream Sparks

  Sparks

  Divine triggers that elicit unrelenting pursuits of bold endeavors

  Lesson 1

  Sit for a Spell

  Talking Rock doesn’t actually talk, but you might hear something if you sit on it long enough.

  On our way back to Atlanta, somewhere near Jasper in northern Georgia, my wife Amy and I noticed a sign inviting us to turn off to “Talking Rock.” We launched into a discussion about how amusing it would be if the rock actually talked, kept up conversation, made the occasional snide comment. We were in a playful mood. Pretty sure the rock doesn’t talk. Unless, of course, God decided to make it talk. After all, He did make water pour out of one (see Exodus 17).

  A quick search and I discovered that Talking Rock isn’t a rock at all. It’s a town. “Talking Rock’s history is rich with stories about the Trail of Tears, the Civil War, the railroad, and the Great Depression. The origination of our town’s name is unclear
and there are many interesting stories regarding its derivation. Some individuals believe that it’s from the noise of the water rolling over the rocks in our beautiful creek, while others like the story of folks sitting for a spell on a rock to have a talk with a neighbor. Still others believe that the name originated with the local Indians.” 1

  “Sitting for a spell on a rock to talk to a neighbor.” I like that explanation. Let’s go with that.

  You might hear something important if you sit for a spell. With a neighbor, with a friend, with your loved one, with God, even.

  My friend, Greg, likes to use this formula2 in his ministry3 to encourage people to sit for a spell because he knows the truth of Talking Rock.

  Proximity + Unhurried Time = Friendship

  Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. (English Standard Version, James 4:8).

  Proximity and unhurried time. Space. Time. Intentionality and boundaries. You choose to. You create space to.

  We’re so busy. We’re so isolated. The rhythms of our days impact friendship with others AND with God. So we have to CREATE the time and space. Abraham was described as God’s friend. He created the time and space to cultivate his unique friendship with God.

  It’s not complicated. We get to know others better when we sit with them over time. Again and again.

  It’s no wonder why so many Jesus-followers today have trouble dreaming. There is a lesson here. Sit for a spell. If we hope to discover a dream, we will need to stop and listen. Intentional space and place dedicated to listening, considering, wondering will be absolutely critical if we ever hope to discover a God-ordained dream.

  We carve out time on our calendars to do all sorts of things. Schedule time to dream. Pick a morning every week. Take a day a month. Place some Talking Rock time at the beginning and end of every day. Establish space that works for you. You are free to do this. You don’t need anyone else’s permission. Find it. Schedule it. Don’t miss your appointment.

  Try This

  Who do you want to sit with?

  When will you schedule it?

  * * *

  1 Talking Rock city website, “Origin of Name,” https://www.talkingrockga.com/, (February 15, 2017).

  2 Greg Finke, Joining Jesus on His Mission: How to Be An Everyday Missionary, (Elgin, Tyler: Tenth Power, 2014), 139.

  3 Dwelling 1:14 https://dwelling114.org/

  Lesson 2

  People Are Not Used to Being Coached

  Coaching sparks dreams.

  Self-knowledge, courage to take risks, support, and focused energy are among the gifts for the individual who finds a coach. Many miss these gifts.

  Most people are used to being preached at. They have grown accustomed to being told what to do. Self-knowledge is rare. The energy to think deeply, to inspect and be introspective is hard to come by. Consequently, many rely on others’ answers instead of finding their own.

  This is one of the main reasons why inspiring dreams are rare. And, why we tend to grind out our days working on someone else’s dream instead of our own.

  People expect me, as a leader, to have answers for them. Others in my professional tribe have noted such expectations and the pressure that comes along with them. The problem with providing answers for people is that it’s not helping them grow. It’s not helping them dream.

  People are like sheep, the Scriptures say. Sheep don’t have their own best answers. They are led. They are taught. They are shepherded. Sheep don’t dream. (Why, then, are we supposed to count them to help us sleep? Hmmmmm… )

  I believe this line of thinking about sheep leads many to expect another to give them answers. And through the years has led the shepherds to settle for giving answers. Leaders too often tell their followers what to do instead of inspiring them to find their own way.

  I get it. I really do. I understand what the Scriptures say about the human condition. I concur that through the ages God has sent prophets, leaders, pastors, evangelists, teachers, parents, kings, and all those in authority. And He’s doing it today. Yet, there is a way to respect and obey these authorities without becoming proverbial sheep.

  Yes, my Good Shepherd restores my soul. He guides me along streams of living water…for His name’s sake. And, those who faithfully lead will help us live out our unique calling and fulfill our purpose. God has never intended for us to be puppets on a string, blindly marching along to carry out the desires of magistrates. He has placed leaders and guides in our lives to redirect, realign, and realize our contribution FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE.

  Simply being told what to do is not working to help people to grow. Preaching alone is not assisting people to own their dream. Nor is it yielding behavioral transformation in pursuit of those divine imprints.

  The lack of interested supporters in our lives and in the lives of the people we influence is keeping people dependent on the expert. Perhaps you even picked up this book because you thought it might give you access to some golden dream nugget. I hate to disappoint.

  You can access the Creator, your Creator. You can discover your dream without an intermediary placed over you simply telling you what you should do or how you should live. God has created you with your own Divine Dreams in your DNA. The best guidance comes from people who help you discover your own answers as you seek God.

  Even looking at our expert leader, Jesus, whose Word is life, we can see this lesson lived out. Jesus is not merely an itinerant preacher who directs our steps. He is a soul-stirrer who invites us to walk with Him.

  If our master, Jesus, leads us by walking with us and stirring us to discover, then these earthly leaders must learn to come alongside and help others discover their own best answers. Our leaders and “experts” must become experts in helping those they serve discover how to listen to the true Expert, and here’s the key, FOR THEMSELVES. That is, IF we want to see people increasingly apply what they learn. If we want people to dream.

  If fear keeps people from dreaming, then fear can also keep our leaders from helping others dream. Fears that individuals’ dreams may conflict with the leader’s dream. Fears that they are actually ill-equipped to guide people. Fears that this kind of “alongside partnership” is too demanding and intimate. Fears that they will be found as lacking any dream of their own. Telling people what they should do or think allows leaders to keep a certain relational distance.

  The ability to dream belongs to everyone. In order to unleash this great movement of dreamers we, as leaders, will need to effect a shift. This shift will require of us to...

  Ask powerful, soul-stirring questions instead of giving quick expert answers, encouraging each person to find his/her own way.

  Exhibit patience and commitment to long-term, enduring relationships.

  Transform teaching environments from transactional events to self-discovery adventures.

  Allow our Teacher/Trainer the space to ask us the powerful, soul-stirring questions that will unlock transformational discoveries for ourselves.

  Temper our defensiveness; we must learn to listen to what others say, take constructive criticism, get outside our own heads and consider other perspectives.

  Appreciate virtues like “singularity of vision” and stick-to-it-iveness in our leaders without necessarily adopting all of their answers as our own.

  There are two sides to this lesson. The side that you are on when you live as a leader to another. And the side that you live on as you are influenced by other leaders. On one side of the equation the question stands: “Will you allow yourself to be coached?” On the other side there is a similar question: “Will you redirect your energies to coach others?” Both are humbling propositions.

  Let us devote ourselves to helping others follow Jesus. And in the process of placing them in His care, help them discover their dream and pursue it with freedom and boldness.

  Try This


  Here are three actionable steps you could take to increase your coaching capacity.

  Pick a favorite coaching question and make it your own. Memorize it. Put it in your own words. Put it in your coaching tool belt. Here’s a few to choose from:Say more about that? Can you expand on that?

  What have you tried so far?

  If nothing changes, what is likely to happen?

  What ideas do you have that you’d be willing to act on?

  What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

  If all things change when we do, what do you want to change first?

  Have you checked your assumptions about that?

  Consider getting a coach for yourself.

  Shift teaching environments to self-discovery adventures. Every teaching environment can be transformed. They can shift from passive learning moments to active learning spaces with simple adjustments. Here are a few examples:Instead of simply telling which Scripture passages to look up to make your point, make your point and then let people search for their own supporting Scripture.

  Instead of pulling out a few points in an article that you want to use to make your point, let a small group read the article for themselves and pull out the points they see as key to the discussion.

  Include a take-home exercise to try at home in your speech/sermon/class. And check in during the next class/sermon/speech to get feedback on the exercise.

  Stop right in the middle of your lecture and have the group pair up and actually do the thing you are espousing. For example, if you want them to look at the meaning of their name to gain insight about their calling or personality, then have them do it right there in that moment.

  Lesson 3