Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy by Mark Batterson
Long Vision x Long Obedience = Long Legacy
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -— Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
Grace and peace be unto you!
If you knew you had only 24 hours left to live—and God gave you a megaphone to share one message with the world—what would you say?
That is your SIGNATURE MESSAGE.
Mine is simple: “It always starts with a dream!”
There’s an incredible God story behind those words. I’ll save that for another time. But here’s what I want you to know today:
Pursuing your God-given dream can bring great joy, peace, and purpose.
I often say that God’s love language is OBEDIENCE. Each step of obedience creates an opportunity for Him to work in you and through you—even when you cannot yet see what He is doing.
Sometimes progress happens gradually: one prayer, one decision, one faithful step at a time. Then suddenly, you begin to see what God has been preparing all along.
So, what does that mean for you?
At Empower 2000 (E2000), our purpose is Empowering Dreams.
Through our emails, masterclasses, courses, and global family, we seek to help you recognize your God-given dreams and take practical steps toward fulfilling them.
My prayer is that God will use these connections to breathe His ZOE LIFE into the dreams and purposes He placed within you.
What if your greatest calling is already inside you, waiting to be awakened?
Today, I’d like to share highlights from one of my favorite books I’ve read in the past two years:
Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy by Mark Batterson.
As you read, consider this question: What faithful step is God inviting me to take today?
Quotes from book endorsements:
This book will inspire you to dream bigger, think longer, and dare to be different.
Gradually Then Suddenly is a guidebook to making the daily choices that lead to the creation of the fulfilling life with God we all deeply desire.
God’s vision doesn’t have a short shelf life—it is international and intergenerational.
This book will set your soul and heart on fire to seek and obey the voice of the Lord.
Batterson’s writing has the rare ability to make you believe big and start small—and this book will push you to do both.
Excerpts from Prologue: Playing the Long Game:
“When you are born, you look like your parents,” said Dr. Crawford Loritts. “When you die, you look like your decisions.” Destiny is not a mystery. Destiny is a series of decisions—big decisions and little decisions, predecisions and daily decisions.
And every decision has a domino effect. For better or for worse, we look more and more like our decisions every day. The good news? You are one decision away from a totally different life. My prayer is that God would give you the clarity, the conviction, and the courage you need to make that decision.
Play the long game. If you do the right things day in and day out, God will show up and show off.
Is there a defining decision you need to make?
Is there a God-sized dream you need to go after?
What are you waiting for?
It's time to get started on gradually.
Success without sacrifice is short-lived. Don’t settle for fifteen minutes of fame. The name of the game is long obedience in the same direction. That’s how you leave a legacy that will outlive you.
The principle of long obedience holds true for absolutely everything. Success is showing up when others give up.
By definition, God-sized dreams are beyond your education, beyond your ability, beyond your resources. You can’t do it, but God can. Show me the size of your dream and I’ll show you the size of your God.
God makes big people by giving them big dreams. But the goal isn’t accomplishing the goal—it’s who you become in the process. Life is a journey, not a destination... Enjoy the journey—every age, every page, every stage!
Almost everything is impossible, until it isn’t.
Prayer Power
Abba, Father, thank You for planting dreams within us and inviting us to partner with You in fulfilling Your purposes. Breathe Your life into dreams that have grown weary, and awaken hope where disappointment has taken root.
Give us courage to dream bigger, wisdom to decide better, and faith to take the next step of obedience. Help us begin with what You have placed in our hands, trusting You with what is beyond our ability and resources.
Teach us to remain faithful in the gradual seasons—when progress seems slow, prayers seem unanswered, and the fruit of our obedience is still hidden. Strengthen us to keep showing up, choosing wisely, and loving well. Prepare our hearts to steward the sudden opportunities You bring.
As we pursue Your dreams, shape who we become. May our character grow alongside our calling, and may our lives reflect the love and humility of Jesus.
Bless each person reading this blog post. Give them clarity about their next faithful step and renewed joy in the journey. Let the seeds we plant today bear fruit for generations, leaving a legacy that draws others closer to You.
In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen and hallelujah!
Blessings to play the long game, obey God daily, and enjoy the journey!
Joseph
P.S. If this message has blessed you, please post your comments at the bottom of this page.
Joseph Peck, M.D.
President and Chief Visionary Officer of Empower 2000
EMPOWERING DREAMS
The Time Doctor
Good morning. Thank you. I have learned to live only one day at time because I faced so much opposition and disappointment therefore I forget to dream.
You’re welcome Daniella. May the LORD bless you on life’s journey with friends that encourage you and inspire you to dream with God! And may you in turn inspire others to dream with God. Keeping a daily gratitude journals help to recognize God as work in your life.
Mark Batterson’s books were foundational in helping me consider dreaming again after life’s devastating losses. I read my first book of his at the bottom of a dark, cold pit; you can probably guess which one!
I thought my life was over, but Pastor Mark’s words helped me consider that God might just be getting started. So, I went all in. I began praying bold, God-sized prayers for my family. Then I prayed the bravest prayer I knew: since all my own dreams had been crushed, I asked God to make His wildest dreams come true through me. I had nothing left to ask for, but I was willing to give Him what remained.
I went primal. I circled my children, my home, my business, and my city in prayer. I had faced my worst day ever, and I began learning to win the day in front of me. God’s whisper in the silence became my guide and I’ve witnessed a million miracles every day. Somewhere along the way, I began to dream again.
Today, I’m raising my five sons, writing books of my own, and helping others find hope in their valleys. Pastor Mark’s writing has seasoned my own, and his encouragement has left a lasting mark on my life, faith, and recovery. What a gift to see words planted on a page bear fruit in someone else’s life, including mine. E2000 and the discipleship here have help to activate what God wants to do in and through me… I’ll be forever grateful to both!
Thank you so much, Jacalyn, for sharing your powerful and transparent testimony of major transformation. It’s wonderful that you are writing books and helping others find hope in their valleys. Mark Batterson is one of my favorite authors. His stories are very inspiring. Many blessings to you and your precious family!
Thank you for sharing this. The thought that rather than seeking “15 minutes of fame”, I am instead counseled to concentrate on my long game – a lifetime of impact and change that begins one decision at a time, is very powerful and has captured my thoughts for the remainder of today and probably for many days to come.
You’re welcome Jerry. Thank you sharing what stood out for you and your planned action step. Many blessings to you!
Thank you for the encouragement
You’re welcome Terry. Thank you for sharing your gratitude. Many blessings to you and your retreats!
This is so helpful. I wish there was a version for Young children and Young teens. I know it would help my music students and inspire them not to always be rushing ahead….
Thank you Veronica for your encouragement. I like your idea to have a book like this for youth. It is so important for young people to discover they have a God-given purpose and to have people in their lives to help them live that. Many blessings to you!