Chasing Your Dreams: Rediscovering Purpose in Life’s Second Act

There comes a moment—a quiet pause in the middle of life—when you suddenly wonder, “What now?” These are exactly the times when the Lord can really go to work in your life and birth something incredible…..if you give Him the freedom to work.

Personally, my “what next” was getting laid off from my job at age 63 and wondering where God would direct my path. For you, maybe your last child has left home and the house echoes with silence. Maybe you've hung up your work ID badge for the last time and are facing the wide-open space of retirement. Maybe you're grieving a profound loss or stepping into a new zip code without the familiarity of your old life.

These are seasons of transition—job loss, empty nesting, retirement, relocating, widowhood. And in this season, many women feel both a whisper and a wrestling.

The whisper says: There’s still more for you.

The wrestling says: But is it too late?

Let me speak truth into that tension: Beautiful things are authored by your Father during these pauses. In fact, this might be exactly the right time to chase the dreams God planted in your heart long ago.

We often think of dreams as something meant for the young—something vibrant and shiny, meant for someone with less responsibility and more time or money. But the Bible is full of stories where God speaks big dreams into the lives of people who thought their “dreaming season” had passed.

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy… your old men will dream dreams…” — Acts 2:17 (NIV)

Dreams are not bound by age. They are not restrained by seasons of loss or change. If you’re still breathing, God is still dreaming with you.

But let’s be honest: chasing your God-given dreams in midlife comes with some real challenges.

The lie: My opportunities are in my past. I’m not qualified.

The truth: You are exactly who God has chosen for this moment. The experiences, wisdom, and scars you carry are the very tools He wants to use. Consider this; your life experiences uniquely qualify to minister to others in some way, and that way is as unique as you are.

Think of Moses—called at 80 to lead a nation. Or Sarah—given a promise in her old age. Or Naomi—who thought her story was over but became part of the lineage of Christ.

How to overcome:

• Replace lies with Scripture. Speak truth over yourself daily.
• Surround yourself with women who dream and believe big.
• Remember that God qualifies the called—not the other way around.
• Iron sharpens iron, so build a community that will hold you accountable.

“God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.”

The lie: I should just be content. Wanting more must mean I’m ungrateful.

The truth: Desire isn't selfish when it’s surrendered to God. He gives us the desires of our hearts—especially when those desires glorify Him and serve others.

Your dream could be the very thing someone else is praying for—a ministry, a message, a movement. It’s not selfish. It’s sacred, and the gifts and talents you need to fulfill it are placed within you by your Creator.

How to overcome:

• Pray boldly: “Lord, align my desires with Your will.”
• Journal the ways your dream could bless others.
• Give yourself permission to be both content and called to more.

The lie: Failure will make me look foolish. I’m not strong enough.

The truth: God doesn’t expect you to have it all figured out. He’s not asking for perfection—He’s asking for obedience. Trust Him to close the wrong doors and open the right ones as He guides you along your chosen path.

Even small steps count when they’re made in faith. And every stumble can be used to strengthen your walk with Him.

How to overcome:

• Take one step at a time. Don’t wait for perfect clarity, take your next best step.
• Share your dreams with a trusted mentor or friend who can pray with you.
• Celebrate progress, not perfection.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

The lie: No one understands where I am right now.

The truth: You are never alone. Not only is God with you, but there’s a community of women—just like you—walking this path too.

This ministry, Crazy Praise Club, is all about building a community of women who praise. Your story, your voice, your journey—it matters.

How to overcome:

• Join a women’s Bible study, engage in interactive praise with others, or serve in a local ministry.
• Share your story online, in your church, or in a small group.
• Ask God to bring divine connections into your life.

Maybe it’s writing a book. Starting a business. Mentoring younger women. Volunteering overseas. Planting a garden. Learning to paint. Speaking your story. Going back to school. Starting a ministry.

Whatever your dream is, don’t bury it. Don’t tuck it back into a drawer labeled “Maybe Someday.” Dust it off and place it at the feet of Jesus.

Ask Him to breathe on it.

Because when God breathes on something, even dry bones come to life.

You were made for more than the roles you’ve played—mother, wife, employee. Those were beautiful callings, and they still matter. But you are more than your title.

You are a daughter of the King.

And this season? It’s not the end of your story. It’s the beginning of a new chapter—one where you get to walk closer with God, live deeper in purpose, and chase the dreams He’s placed within you.

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.” — Psalm 138:8 (ESV)

The world needs your voice. Your story. Your obedience. Your dream.

So rise up, sister. Dream again. Chase it—with boldness, with faith, with God.

Because the second act can be the most powerful one yet.

Reflection Questions:

If this spoke to your heart, share it with a sister, a mother, or a friend who’s in the middle of her own life shift. Let’s encourage each other to not just survive the second act—but to soar in it.

Would you like a version of this as a printable PDF, or something to share as a devotional or group study? I'd love to help you take it further.