I don’t remember when this dream took root in my heart. Neither do I remember its first inception. But it has stayed with me and taken on different colors and contours. This audacious idea to bring together the body of Christ to possibly “solve” homelessness and eradicate poverty.
It embarrassed me to share the idea. It felt so naïve and idealistic. And as I learned in film school, they will always ask you, “Why is this your story to tell?” In other words, “What gives you the right to tell this story?” Similarly, I felt like society would ask, “Why is this the issue you want to tackle? What gives you the right to do it? You were never homeless, never on the margins, fighting for food or shelter.”
After journeying for a few months and being given the communal space to reflect, I am grateful to no longer grapple with feelings of disqualification. I have more courage to take ownership of the dream. It’s a dream that moves me when I share about it. It is one that fills me with hope and a truthful view of God. That with Him, nothing is impossible.
On that note, I wanted to share what I’ve learned from walking out this dream.
1. I’ve learned to rely on Him like a child.
I know this dream is out of my hands. It’s too big for any individual to contain. Yet its vastness makes it beautiful. Its vastness reminds me this dream is for God’s hands.
It’s God-sized on many levels. First, addressing homelessness in New York City is a mammoth task. Second, trying to “bring together” the Church to do something is another sizable task. What would unifying churches even look like? Third, how does this vision pan out logistically and practically and not just be a cool sentence? Fourth, how can the execution be sustainable? We are talking about human transformation and only God can change a person.
I am relieved that I cannot make these things happen. I can only journey on, believe, and write the ideas He gives.
God-sized. Only God knows how. He knows the steps, and I’m learning to rely on Him joyfully like a child. I am relieved that I cannot make these things happen. I can only journey on, believe, and write the ideas He gives. It is an encouraging reminder that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
2. I’ve learned to dream restfully.
The Dream Forum coined this mantra that dreams are not achieved, they are received.
It is comforting to know I don’t need to make anything happen. I have learned to dream restfully. My renewed mind believes that the dream is from the Lord. There isn’t anything I can do in my strength to achieve it. I am merely a conduit for His heart and His Spirit. And this feels like the most freeing way to dream.
3. I’ve learned the power of community
As I take the first step to own the dream, I had courage to meet others to talk about it. I learned the power of community. Through conversations with different people I’ve learned from their experiences and had the privilege of hearing other perspectives, ideas, and pushback. All of which has helped to refine the dream. I have also come to believe in the power of a united community invested in changing something. Perhaps the synergy of coming together is what we need.
4. I’ve learned about the power of God
Because this dream is so big, I’m challenged to meditate on God’s greatness. I see this throughout scripture.
“Our God is in the heavens, He does all that he pleases.” Psalm 115:3.
“My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2.
He instilled the Year of Jubilee to remind His people to be radically kind as He is. He sets the captives free. He allows the land to lie fallow. He brings freedom, peace and rest to the world.
5. One small bite at a time
There’s a saying, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” So, while God has lifted the weight to achieve off of me, there is still work to be done. From my conversations with people, I am grateful to receive ideas that help segment this dream into more manageable parts. Taking it one step at a time and seeing what works makes it more personal, human and fun.
As I continue discovering new things on this dream journey, I am excited to see how God moves beyond my ability and finances. That goes for all my fellow dreamers in the cohort. I am excited to see what God can do on earth through laid-down dreamers.
Photo cred: Caitlyn Wilson
Grace Swee is one of twelve Dream Pod Members in Goldenwood’s 2023 Dream Forum. This reflection is part of Goldenwood’s #InsidetheDreamPod series.
About Grace’s dream to Eradicate Homelessness as a Unified Body: I dream of a city where homelessness is a thing of the past, where poverty is eradicated, and where human beings aren’t struggling to survive but dream. I hope to form a core group of believers from different churches who have the heart to address homelessness and poverty in the city. I see this group (of friends) as a coalition of representatives to unite churches in NYC towards greater compassion, and long-term solutions. It would also function as an outpost to gather and disseminate collective resources within the body.