How High?
Insights From Vacation Bible School
Dreaming God’s Dreams
A Poster and a Dream
“Stand up, Zach!” Bubba yelled, laughing as Zach carried his life-sized poster of Lew Alcindor (before he became Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) to the front of the room.
The poster towered over Zach — almost three times his height. Miss Marla and two other teachers had to hold it up so he could give his presentation.
“I like him because he’s tall,” Zach explained shyly. “One day I want to be tall like him. Then I can buy my mom food and clothes and toys for my brothers and sisters.”
It wasn’t about fame. It was about love.
Zach’s dream wasn’t self-centered — it was others-centered.
He wanted to grow tall enough to reach those who couldn’t reach for themselves.
From Me to Thee
As I look back, Zach’s dream still preaches.
Every one of us starts life reaching upward — for significance, for success, for meaning.
We dream of “taller” things: bigger jobs, better homes, higher platforms.
But true growth isn’t climbing above others; it’s lifting them.
A man in a boat once threw his anchor toward shore and started pulling on the rope. For a moment, it felt like he was pulling the land toward himself — until he realized it was actually pulling him closer to solid ground.
That’s what surrender does. It doesn’t shrink your dreams; it roots them.
Dreaming Higher by Kneeling Lower
In God’s Kingdom, the way up is down.
The more we kneel, the higher He lifts.
The more we give, the more we gain.
Zach didn’t have money or height, but he had a heart tuned to heaven — a boy whose dream was already aligned with God’s.
Philippians 4:6–7 tells us,
“In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When our dreams become prayers, peace replaces pressure.
Because in His hands, no dream is wasted — only refined.
Reflection
What dreams have you been chasing that might need surrendering?
Where could God be asking you to trade “bigger” for “better,” and “success” for “significance”?
What would it look like to dream high but stay low — anchored in His love?
Prayer