What Would You Ask God? {Daring to DREAM}

Several years ago I was doing a Bible study that posed a question I had never thought of:

“If you could ask God to do anything with your life, what would it be?”

Out of nowhere a thought came that completely shocked me. In fact, I put “Ha, Ha!” after my response. What did I write down?“Lord, I want to speak for you around the world.”It wasn’t, “Lord, I want to be famous, or wealthy, or admired.” I just wanted to share what I knew of the Living God and His Word. But I was still horrified at myself!My immediate thoughts were: What an egotistical thing to think. Where did such a thought come from? And who was I to desire such a thing? Yes, I had taught for several years with Bible Study Fellowship and for women’s groups in various churches, but what on earth could have prompted this ridiculous “around the world” idea?Little did I know that God had planted this passion in my heart—because it was His plan!Within two years I was asked to teach the spouses’ spiritual growth program at a conference for missionary doctors and dentists, which was held alternate years in Africa and Asia, and I did this for another six years. At the same time, I received an invitation to spend six weeks touring Australia as the “International Speaker” for an inter-denominational ministry.I didn’t know that organization had branches in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Malaysia, nor did I know that their leaders were present at the large national conference in Sydney. But God did—and invitations came from each country in the following years to speak about God’s reality and love.From that one startling thought, “Lord, I want to speak for you around the world,” God has led me to speak for him in nearly twenty countries—not because I had confidence or ambition, or was famous, but simply because it was His plan.It was not something I sought or dreamed up by myself. He gave the desire, and He gives the overwhelming joy that comes as I speak to people of many different cultures. God also opened my eyes to how He shapes us for what He calls us to do.Let me share a promise with you that I delight in:

Isaiah 42:16: “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.” 

Let's Talk: What is God calling you to? Will you trust Him to lead you forward?

This post is part of my Daring to DREAM series. Click here to view all the posts in this series.

Tweetables:"Years ago, @Choose2Grow read the question, “If you could ask God to do anything with your life, what would it be?” http://wp.me/p2JdPr-PU" - Click here to tweet this."What is God calling you to? Will you trust Him to lead you forward? http://wp.me/p2JdPr-PU @Choose2Grow shares part of her story." - Click here to tweet this.Poppy SmithInternational speaker, multi-published author, Bible teacher, and spiritual coachInspiring Women to Thrive! Permission to use this article is granted provided the following credit is fully included.Poppy Smith is funny, warm, and passionate about helping women grow spiritually and personally so they experience the love and power of Christ in life’s ups and downs. A former teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, Poppy has a Masters in Spiritual Formation and ministers extensively as a retreat and conference speaker both in the US and around the world. For more information about Poppy’s heart, her books and ministry, please visit her website at www.poppysmith.com.