Well we’re almost through May, but we’re still here. Life is giving us glimpses of normal, but the unknown is still hugely blanketing our lives, our work, our families, and dreams. This week we welcome Jessica Carey, wife, mom, speaker, and author of Chart a Course, which released in late 2019. (Fun Fact: her book hit #1 in New Releases for Religious Studies in the first week on Amazon!) Chart a course offers an empowering look at being intentional with our now and at uncovering God’s plan for our future. The truths and teachings in its pages, while penned before this global pandemic, apply in a myriad of ways to the current anxieties and crisis we’re still facing.

In the book and in this episode, Jessica gives tools, tips, and personal testimony on finding courage to follow the dreams that God has written on our hearts. Each of ours is different, but each of us has his divine signature of purpose that is worth find and following.

The core steps of her teaching is this:

• Prepare - There is far more power in God’s purpose and provision than in our own credentials. Don’t question if you have everything you need to get started! If you know a dream is God sent, trust He has the tools, and get ready to set sail. 

• Plan - Even in trusting God’s plan, it’s important to chart your course. However, do prepare to be rerouted in the midst of the journey. God rarely leads in straight lines.

• Persevere - Pursue ways to seek God in big storms and small squalls, whether debilitating or just requiring some buckled-down discipline. He is the source to sustain and direct you so you can endure through setbacks. 

• Praise - Embrace praise and restoration in times of safe harbor, when things are progressing and going well. Also take this time to chart ways you might adjust your trajectory to move farther on the next leg of your journey.

In addition to these sage and practical guidelines (which play out much more like changing tides than linear steps), we also talk much about finding peace in the current crisis. How do we practically seek peace when there is so much real anxiety, unanswerable questions, and general unrest?

We talk about building a crew in social isolation and the power of being the connector of your community. We talk about the vitality of renewing our minds – what that means biblically and practically. And we find huge relief in the fact that these courses we’re set to chart almost always look more like a bunch of small yeses than one huge turning point.

 This season is so hard, whether you’re dreaming big or just trying to hold your home together. Don’t forget the final step in the cycle is praise, in both the big strides or mini-successes. Pour out gratitude to the God who is carrying us, at any and every moment that calls for it, and even in the ones that might not feel like they do. This, sisters, is the oil that keeps the engine running. Happy dreaming!

Where to find Jessica:

@jess_careyaz

JessicaCarey.co

@mrsjessicacarey