Broken Dreams

How about those Yank..er I mean Red Sox?! Their last world series victory was in 1918.

You have to hand it to them for trying. In the Afrikaans language there’s a saying: "Aanhouer Wen" that means victory will come to the persistent. Its been a long, hard road back for the Red Sox. There have been a host of team managers in those years that have dreamed of the title and seen their hopes crushed.

How about your dreams?

This week my friend called to say that a company he intended to make his life’s work was in danger of collapse. He has spent many hours building the business. He holds magnificent dreams for it's future.

As we spoke one thing became clear: growing in character is the best by-product of reaching for a dream.

Have you been let go from the job you loved so much? Your tomorrows could easily be changed by a pink slip. What you take away from that experience will either make you better or bitter.

Remember Tennyson’s poem:

"If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same."

Hmm "imposters" - that’s so wise.

You are not the total of either your achievements or your failures. How significant that these words are on the inside of the door leading from the men’s change rooms at Wimbledon tennis courts.

One finalist will return in victory, the other will pass through the doors disappointed.

The true winner will be the one unchanged by what just happened on center court.

The sooner you learn about broken dreams the better. It’s not how great the dream was that matters, but rather how resolute the dreamer. The poem also has the lines: "If you can bear to ….watch the things you gave your life to, broken, and stoop and build them up with worn-out tools." Now that’s character!

The Bible teaches the ultimate blessing of a life where holiness counts. It’s a book that also displays the tragedy of lives where short-term gratification eclipsed noble goals.

Joseph had dreams that seemed never to come true. His early life was a roller coaster of good breaks followed by unexpected reversals. He kept the faith. He persevered.

At the other extreme there are men like Samson. Rugged, individualistic and willful and yet his life ends in disaster and disgrace.

Only those who’ve never tried it over years will brashly claim that goodness, patience and diligence are the hallmarks of weak people who need religion as a crutch.

The irony though is that the people who are seeking this high ideal for their lives will be the first to admit how weak they find themselves to be. They speak of many times of stumbling on the road towards godly character.

I present to you the life progression that big-mouthed, Peter the fisherman, discovered was God’s way to holiness:

Start with faith in God. Then add goodness. From that base study the Bible to add knowledge about God’s ways. You’ll soon see a call to add self-control and perseverance to your life. When those are in place you’ll be growing in godliness.

Just when you think you’re getting very spiritual God will expect you to become consistently kind. Kindness eventually becomes real love. This process could easily be the work of a lifetime.

If the Red Sox could keep at it for 86 years to gain an earthly prize you can be inspired to bear the burden and endure the marathon that will take you to the heavenly reward. No wonder Jesus said:

"He that endures to the end will be saved."