Do you dream too big?

Probably not. Actually, even we hopeful, achievement-oriented Americans routinely overestimate the capabilities, competence, and expertise of others and consistently underestimate our own.

For a variety of reasons we set goals and dream dreams that are too conservative, almost always to avoid the let downs and put downs that result from failing.

But we are created and called to dream big. We are set apart and sent out to do really important things. And God desperately wants us to realize that we have the potential to make big dreams come true.

In Sunday’s gospel, Jesus surprises those around him by healing two people who are not Jewish. ‘Wait a minute,’ we can hear the crowd say, ‘Aren’t you supposed to be the Jewish Messiah? Why pay so much attention to those outside the tribe?’ Jesus is trying to enlarge the expectations and vision of those around him – to see that God is up to something much, much bigger than they could imagine.

And that’s true for you and me. God wants us to dream bigger. God is only limited by our ability to dream and imagine.

In what ways do we dream too small? What big lies do we tell ourselves about not being good enough, smart enough, or good looking enough?  Who are we trying to please and why? Whose permission are we awaiting?

Naming these is the first step in overcoming our fear of failure and embracing more fully what we are called and created to do: dream big.