What does the word dream evoke in your mind? Is it a vague recollection of a story played out in your sleep? Or perhaps a vivid vision of a recurring nightmare you had as a child? In non-Western cultures, people often ascribe meaning to their dreams, believing the supernatural is speaking to them through these slumbering encounters.

Dreams — whether pleasant or petrifying — mean little to us in the West. We attribute them to nothing more than a stressful situation the day before or an unfortunate case of indigestion thanks to that extra piece of pepperoni pizza.

The word dream can also refer to hope for the future. While hanging out in UCLA’s Ackerman Union during my days as a student there, I mentioned to a friend that I had just seen Crystal Lewis in concert.

“That’s my dream!” she declared wistfully.

“Really?” I replied. “But it’s not that big a deal.”

“I know,” she countered with a smile. “But I like having small dreams. That way I’m happy when they come true.”

I respect that. I can see how looking forward to simple pleasures gives my friend joy. I relish the daily manifestations of God’s generosity toward me, too. But when it comes to dreaming, my motto is, “Go big or go home!” (This is also my slogan when it comes to Chinese buffets.)

My dreams are so big it scares me to say them out loud or put them in print. What if I share my heart with someone and they laugh at me? Or judge me? Or dismiss me? The fear of man can be paralyzing. I need to remind myself that I’m going to answer to God for the way I used the talents He entrusted to me.

Imagine how many zealous missionaries have been propelled to the ends of the earth by these famous words:

“Attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God.”
—  William Carey

William Carey had some Buick-sized dreams, and he received huge push-back as a result. Yet, where would the cause of Christ among the nations be without men and women like him? Without those who followed their Spirit-dependent, faith-filled dreams?

Heroes like Carey give me reason to believe it’s okay to dream big. If the Lord is in these dreams, they will come to fruition. If a breathtaking vision of the glory of God drives us, let’s run hard together toward the realization of Christ’s kingdom.

Angie Velasquez Thornton served with her husband, Dan, and their two daughters in Senegal, Africa, for 10 years. They recently relocated to Montreal, Canada, where she continues to make disciples with Crossworld. Read Angie’s blog.