The following is a Bible Gateway exclusive Sneak Peek and First Listen of It’s Not Over: Leaving Behind Disappointment and Learning to Dream Again (Thomas Nelson, 2020) by Joshua Gagnon (@joshgagnon). Order the book and unabridged audiobook on CD in the Bible Gateway Store.

By Joshua Gagnon

While God-sized dreams often begin with our response to a specific need, there are lots of needs in our world. Actually, there are lots of needs in each of our communities. So we need more input when it comes to identifying which needs (and which dreams) God is using to direct our steps.

I like the way Nehemiah responded after his heart was broken by the Jerusalem report: “When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven” (1:4). Notice that Nehemiah didn’t rush into action. Instead, he stopped and sought direction from God through prayer and fasting.

In other words, he waited for God to open a door. He waited to see what God was doing and how he could get on board.

And when that door eventually opened, it opened in a huge way:

Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the 20th year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. So the king asked me, “Why are you looking so sad? You don’t look sick to me. You must be deeply troubled.”

Then I was terrified, but I replied, “Long live the king! How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

The king asked, “Well, how can I help you?”

With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” (2:1–5)

The king himself asked Nehemiah how he could help him accomplish his dream! How cool is that? Nehemiah didn’t have to knock down doors or try to position himself in God’s favor. He stayed faithfully planted where God had placed him, and then God brought the opportunity to him.

As modern people with a “go get ’em” mentality, we spend so much time trying to manipulate our way into greater opportunities. We are often desperate to make things happen. But in a split second God can open doors that we’ve spent years trying to crack. Remember this: you don’t have to force your way into God’s plan; you just need to move in his direction when he opens a door.

I don’t know what door God will open to point you toward your dreams, but you’d better be paying attention when he moves. Imagine if Nehemiah had missed the chance to tell the king what had been stirring within him. Well, this isn’t really an appropriate subject for work . . . Instead, Nehemiah pounced, and so should we.

Your open door could be a chance encounter with the CEO of the company where you always dreamed of working. Maybe that great guy you see on the subway each day really is worth your time. Maybe it’s that college-acceptance letter you received, even though you don’t yet know how you’ll pay the tuition. Or maybe it’s an opportunity to be mentored by someone who can help you find security in your God-given identity, or to go on a mission trip through your church.

You might be thinking, But how do I know which opportunities are God opening a door, and which are just happenstance? How do I know when to jump?

Remember what Nehemiah did: as soon as his heart was broken for Jerusalem, he prayed and fasted. Meaning, he turned to God and stayed close to him. He sought God’s direction rather than trying to make his own path, and there- fore he was ready when God opened the door. The same can be true for us when we stay close to God each day and seek direction from his Holy Spirit.

When it comes to finding God’s will for your life, your heart matters more than your decisions. What I mean is that God is not up in heaven playing a big game of “pick the correct door.” Many people go through life afraid of making decisions—afraid that if they choose wrong, they’ll ruin their lives. This results in stagnation. Such people want to move, but their feet are stuck in the quicksand of what-ifs.

The above is a Bible Gateway exclusive Sneak Peek and First Listen of It’s Not Over: Leaving Behind Disappointment and Learning to Dream Again (Thomas Nelson, 2020) by Joshua Gagnon. Order the book and unabridged audiobook on CD in the Bible Gateway Store.

It’s Not Over: Leaving Behind Disappointment and Learning to Dream Again is published by HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the parent company of Bible Gateway.

BIO: Joshua Gagnon (@joshgagnon) is the founding and lead pastor of Next Level Church, regularly recognized as one of the fastest growing churches in America. He is known for his uniquely authentic communication style that makes the hope found in Jesus relevant to people of every background. He and his wife, Jennifer, raise their two sons in New Hampshire.

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