Dream Big
By David Dicken Jr. August 2026
When Pain Buries Our Dreams
I was sitting on a panel at a conference in Phoenix, Arizona, when the moderator asked, “Why do you spend so much time with diverse communities? Why do you talk so much about identity and belonging?”
I paused, leaned forward and spoke directly and loudly into the microphone and said to the crowd of 700. “Dream Big”
Everyone deserves to dream big. Unfortunately, those who have been marginalized often suppress their dreams. A lack of belonging can diminish hope and discourage people from imagining a better future. A future lacking purpose and satisfaction. Far too often, those who have experienced abuse become afraid not only to dream big—but to dream at all.
A young man living with a mental health condition shared that he was bullied by co-workers at a restaurant where he worked. Their rejection reinforced the negative beliefs he already carried about himself, and he quit, burying his dream of becoming a chef. It wasn't until he began to recognize his worth and realize that his value and dignity were not determined by the words of bullies that he found the courage to dream again. His new journey began when he came to the realization: "I deserve better."
God sees the person hidden beneath the pain, the struggles, and the circumstances. He knows your gifts, passions, and dreams—the things that bring you joy, purpose, and meaning. He delights in helping you rediscover those dreams and reconnect with the passions that make you who you are.
Designed to Dream
Dreaming is part of who we are. As image-bearers of God, we are designed to dream—and to dream big. It is part of the creative nature God has given us, reflecting His original design for humanity. Dreaming enables us to envision what could be, pursue our God-given purpose, and participate in the life He intended for us. Whether through hobbies, meaningful work, relationships, or shared activities, dreaming inspires us to cultivate what brings life to our souls. We serve a creative God, and as His image-bearers, we reflect that creativity. When our dreams align with His purposes, they become a source of hope, growth, and fulfillment.
I once shared at a conference, “Creativity is one of my greatest tools when supporting someone who is experiencing suicidal thoughts. They feel overcome by darkness and believe they have lost all hope. It feels like complete despair. In that intense moment, it always reminds me that Jesus is the light, and the light overcomes the darkness.”
One of the most meaningful things we can do is help someone reconnect with the passions, gifts, and dreams that remind them they have purpose—that they matter. Helping someone rediscover something they love, something that brings meaning and joy, can open the door to hope, change a life, and even save a life.
Sometimes, I have the privilege of hearing the joy return to someone’s voice as they talk about something they are passionate about. That spark of hope, purpose, and connection can become the first step toward dreaming big again as they rediscover their God-given talents, their purpose, and who they truly are.
Jesus Dreams We'll Be Beautifully Joined Together
When Jesus walked the earth, He dreamed of a world filled with unity, belonging, and love.In John 17, He prayed that we would share in God's glory and be "brought to complete unity" (John 17:22–23), and the First Nations Version beautifully expresses this as being "beautifully joined together as one." Jesus also prayed that we would be with Him and experience His glory (John 17:24), revealing God's original design for humanity—a life of deep connection with Him and one another. We worship a creative God who made us in His image, and because we reflect His creativity, we are created to dream. Dreaming becomes a place where hope, imagination, purpose, and belonging can flourish.
Paul's Dream of One New Humanity
Like Jesus, the Apostle Paul was a dreamer who embraced God's vision for a restored humanity. In Ephesians 2:14–22, the First Nations Version beautifully describes how Christ is our peace, breaking down every barrier that divides people and recreating us into "one new humanity." This was God's dream from the beginning—that people from every nation, tribe, and background would be united in Christ as one family, living in peace, belonging, and love.
Through Christ, God is bringing people together on the path of peace. We are no longer outsiders but members of one great family that our Father is creating. We are connected to one another, belonging together and joined together as one. Together, we become a dwelling place for His Spirit.
Paul’s dream continues in chapter 3. He reveals that “the people of all Nations have an equal share in the blessings.”
Ephesians 3:6–16 (FNVNT)
“This mystery is that the people of all Nations have equal share in the blessings promised to the tribes of Wrestles with Creator (Israel). They have full membership in the same body and are included in the promise through the Chosen One as told in the good story.”
Paul’s dream was God’s dream: a world where separation is overcome, belonging is restored, and every person discovers their place in God’s family.
Dream Big Because You Were Created to Dream Big
The invitation to dream big is ultimately an invitation to rediscover who God created us to be. Dreaming big is part of who we are. It reflects His creativity, helps us live out our purpose, and invites us to become active participants in His work of restoring beauty and harmony in the world around us.
When people experience belonging, they find the courage to dream again. When they reconnect with their God-given gifts, passions, and identity, hope begins to grow.
God’s dream is that every person would know they are deeply loved, fully valued, and beautifully created in His image. He invites us to help others uncover the dreams that pain, rejection, and trauma have buried. Together, we can create communities where people feel safe to belong, the courage to dream, and are empowered to live the life of beauty and harmony that Jesus came to give.
So dream big—not because life is easy, but because you were created to dream, and God’s vision for your life is greater than the circumstances that have tried to define you.
Questions for Personal Reflection
What dreams, passions, or gifts have I buried because of pain, rejection, fear, or disappointment?
What would it look like to invite God into those places and begin dreaming again?
Who in my life can encourage me to cultivate my God-given worth, recognize my gifts, and rediscover hope and purpose?
How can I become that person who helps someone else recognize their worth, gifts, and God-given purpose this week?