The Hope in Dreaming

The graduates walk across the stage, move their tassels and smile, ready to take on the world and reach their goals. Anything is possible. They just need to dream big and go get it.

Or so the theory goes.

I'm curious. How many of you feel like you have reached those big goals and achieved what you hoped? How many wishes are realized? Or did your dream lose its importance as you grew up? Did reality steal it?

Are dreams overrated?

Yet there's something within me that wants to believe the impossible, wants to beat the odds, wants to at least try to achieve something extraordinary. Why? There must be a reason God places these desires in our hearts.

Does the pursuit alone give added meaning and excitement in life? Is attaining our lofty goals as important as working towards them? Is success defined by achievement or faithfulness? Leaving the door open to the possibility of doing something great takes the ordinary out of our reality, gives us hope to press on in difficult times.

It's much like our Christian walk. The hope of something better keeps us going, helps us persevere. The dream of living in heaven with Jesus, experiencing no more heartache and stress, enables us to withstand our time on earth.

Can the same be said for our dreams? Does hoping for and working towards what seems impossible give us more courage for today? Does it infuse us with the child like wonder Jesus encourages? Are these dreams wrapped up with our faith? Does striving for them keep us believing God can do anything?

I may never get a book published. The odds are about the same as me being a finalist on American Idol. The older I get the more unlikely it seems, but I know I'll never get there if I don't work on it and take a shot. In doing so, I am left with a question that makes my insides flutter.

What if it actually happened?

The thought alone can get me out of bed in the morning. It gives me something exciting to think about while folding laundry and puts a spark of joy in an otherwise ordinary day.

To me that joy is worth the extra work, whether the dream is realized or not. The hope of waiting for God to do the impossible keeps my motor going.

And my faith alive.

So go ahead, my friends, dream big and see where God may take you.