Enlarge Your Capacity to Dream

On May 3, 2012, Stig Severinsen held his breath underwater for 22 minutes. Stig did not simply wake up that morning and decide to give it a go. Starting at the age of 6 Stig has had a lifetime of pursuing water activities including underwater rugby and underwater hockey (Who knew?) not to mention he is a four-time freediving champion. Besides that he has a degree in biology and a Ph.D. in medicine. He spent his entire life developing his mind and body to be able to hold his breath longer than anyone else. If you or I decided to take a crack at that 22 minute mark, there would only be one result. Death. Well, I guess there is a possibility that we could escape with severe brain damage. Either way, the point is we do not have the lung capacity to compete with Stig's astounding accomplishments. If we were able to invest 30 plus years of experience and training, we may be able to take on Mr. Severinsen. Until then he has the decided advantage. Stig not only developed a record-breaking lung capacity but he also developed capacity in other parts of his life, as well. Capacity is defined as the ability to do something: a mental, emotional or physical ability. Staying underwater that long takes more than physical ability. Mental and emotional capacity was a large part of his feat. We all carry a capacity. Your current capacity is realized potential. Everyone has the potential to do great things, but until capacity is developed that great thing will remain in a state of hope. Hope is essential but it actually means that you have not obtained the thing you desire. Hebrews 11:1 says that faith is the substance of things hoped for. While hope is a necessary mental and emotional exercise, faith is where capacity expands. Faith is an action that expands who you are. Our dream is God-sized which means we must expand in order for this dream to materialize. The Spirit of God alive in you has no restrictions. The restrictions that keep your dreams at bay are your incorrect thoughts and misled actions. You may see a big dream in your heart but your mind tells you that it is impossible. The enemy will also take this opportunity of doubt and reinforce it with lies about not being good enough, smart enough, skilled enough, etc. Limiting thoughts and listening to lies keep your dream in infancy. Gratefully, the faith inside of you in the form of the Holy Spirit is pushing against that wrong thought.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Instead of listening to your natural mind, tap in to the supernatural mind of Christ. Jesus’ thoughts towards you and the plans He has for you are hard to believe because they are so full of life, expectation and purpose. But that is the catch ... you have to believe. God who cannot lie believes that you can be the biggest dream of your heart. Who are you to doubt Him?

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:13-16

Just before these verses Paul quotes Isaiah, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” The amazing things God has for you are not normal thoughts and dreams. Mere man cannot comprehend such awesomeness. How do you expand your capacity to reach these heights? I believe 1 Corinthians 2 has some clues.

Verse 13 - Your dream is spiritual.

God engineered it and He is spirit. Trying to use natural means to find meaning, purpose and direction for your dream will end in confusion and stunted growth. Man’s wisdom has its place but in this case ditch it. Only in the counsel and wisdom of God can you expand yourself.

Verse 14 – It's foolishness.

At least to the world’s eyes the faith steps you take to see greatness come alive on the inside of you will look like a big pile of dumb. Be like David and have a heart that says I will look much more foolish than this to honor God with what He gave me. There are times when expanding your capacity looks like you are moving in the wrong direction. A fool’s errand to some, but to you it will be the next step in growing big enough to carry the weight of the dream.

Verse 15 – Judge all things.

As you expand, you will identify the people and activities to align with and those to avoid. Those that you involve in your dream journey will have a significant impact on its success. Having the mind of Christ to guide you will be essential. Joining with the wrong people or wrong activities can lead to unnecessary delays. The right people beside you will accelerate your development and challenge you to go further than you have in the past. Increasing your capacity is a lifelong adventure. Being able to see what God sees in you and in others does not happen overnight. Your Father is not impatiently tapping His foot waiting for you to become a better Christian, though. He is excited to spend time with you and in that special intimate place where capacity enlarges. God is too big to describe. The more you are drawn to Him and His nature the more you become like Him. Big.