Mey Deras | ROOTED Biblical Counseling Services

by Mey Deras | Estimated reading time 5 mins.

I’m deeply convinced that dreaming narcissistic, self-ambitious dreams is just as dangerous as not dreaming at all.

In the Christian world, we often swing to the extremes. On one side, people interpret we should never dream at all; because life “isn’t about us, but about loving Christ and others.” That’s true according to Scripture. But sometimes this truth gets misinterpreted. Instead of motivating us to serve Christ boldly with our gifts, it becomes an excuse to shrink back. We avoid discovering passions, and grow apathetic and stuck. Slowly, this distortion creates a view of God as if He were against joy. It seems like He opposes calling and the unique design He’s given each of His children.

But friend, hiding your gifts is not humility. In the parable of the talents, the fearful servant buried what God entrusted to him. He was called wicked and lazy! (Matthew 25:24–25). Fear kept him from faithfulness. God delights when you use your gifts and pursue the good works He has prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10).

On the other extreme, we “Christianize” selfish ambition. We exalt the creation over the Creator. We preach a gospel of self-empowerment: be the boss-babe, the ultimate masterpiece, the center of the story. Women end up chasing dreams. They treat God like a personal genie. They believe He must give them what they want simply because they are His beloved. The dream becomes the idol; God becomes the gift-giver only, instead of their Lord.

What we need is a shift toward God-centered dreams. These dreams come from knowing who we are in Christ. They show up when we use our gifts, talents, and skills to serve others and honor God. In this way, our goals actually live out the command to love Christ and love people. And we can pursue them without fear and without making ourselves the center.

“Dreams and goals are not the enemy; idolatry is. Planning is not prideful; exalting yourself is.” Mey

Desires: From Good to Inordinate

Jay Adams, one of the pioneers of biblical counseling, once wrote:

“There is nothing wrong with wanting things, but when wanting becomes demanding, conflict results.” (Competent to Counsel, 1970)

Desires start as good. We want to succeed at work, raise godly children, or experience stability. But when those wants cross the line into must-haves (when they become ruling desires) they quickly enslave us.

David Powlison explained it this way:

“Our desires are not wrong because they are strong; they are wrong because they replace God as our refuge and satisfaction.” (Seeing with New Eyes, 2003)

The issue is not whether we dream, but whether our dreams take God’s rightful place in our hearts.

Earthly Goals: Stewardship, Not Idolatry

Paul himself made earthly ministry plans: “I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain.” (Romans 15:24). These weren’t sinful ambitions. They were ordinary, God-submitted plans.

Heath Lambert summarizes it well:

“Ambition and goals are not inherently sinful. They are God-given drives, but they must be evaluated in the light of Scripture to determine if they are directed toward loving God and others.” (The Biblical Counseling Movement After Adams, 2011)

Goals are part of faithful stewardship. But they are never meant to define our worth, control our emotions, or take God’s place as our ultimate satisfaction.

Guarding Against Idolatry in Our Goals

Jesus warned against storing up treasures on earth (Luke 12:15–21). Not because houses, careers, or even retirement plans are evil, but because they can too easily become gods.

Ed Welch reminds us:

“What we want can be good, but when it controls us, it shows we want it more than God.” (Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave, 2001)

This is where biblical counseling offers clarity. Earthly goals are great and a blessing only when they are anchored in God’s glory. They must also be submitted to His will.

Proverbs 10:22 ESV supports this: “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”

6 Ways to Hold Earthly Goals Biblically

Final Word

Dreaming is not the problem. God designed us to plan, to build, and to long for the future. The problem comes when our goals become functional gods.

As Paul said: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14).

Keep the main cup full ( be satisfied in Him) and let your dreams overflow from there.

Journaling Prompts

Take a few minutes with these questions to examine your own goals:

1. What are my current goals and dreams? Write them out honestly. Then ask: have any of these become demands rather than desires?
2. Am I shrinking back out of fear? Where have I buried gifts or passions God entrusted to me? What small step of faith can I take to steward them better?
3. How can these goals be redirected toward loving God and others? What would it look like to pursue them with Christ as my ultimate satisfaction?