Losing a dream

A while ago, I wrote about a dream of mine that I achieved and one that has kind of become my life goal. But the desires of our heart are many and along the way we plan new things and aim for new achievements. We never stop dreaming. Sometimes we get there, sometimes we give up, sometimes we simply have to let go. I had to let go. I lost a dream. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Right now, dreams seem to be dying all around us: graduations canceled, weddings postponed, camps rescheduled, trips take a rain check and are proms delayed. The things we pray about and long for don't always happen. God always answers our prayers, but sometimes that answer is "No". There are a lot of "No's" right now. So what do we do when dreams die?

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." -Colossians 3:3

"But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:14

Don't stand still, keep moving but refocus. Proverbs says that the Lord will direct our steps, but in order for that to be true, we have to keep walking. Through trials, through valley's, through the ashes of the dead dreams, through the mistakes and the losses, we walk forward in faith setting our mind on Christ and His plans for us. John Waller in his song "Faith Is Living" writes, "I wish I could see just three steps in front of me, but the lamp unto my feet, it only moves when I take a step." We are being guided toward a future that is hopeful, we only have to keep taking steps forward. Sometimes that means losing a dream.

Now don't get me wrong, the Lord delights to give us the desires of our heart. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him and He loves to see us rejoicing in blessings. That doesn't mean we always get the things we want but it does mean we will always get the things we need. This dream I had was something I thought I needed and definitely something I desperately wanted. When I got a no I had to realize that it wasn't what I needed. I regret losing that dream, it hurts and it's hard. My plans and hopes were set on it and when that dream died I felt like my world would fall apart. But when we think our world is falling apart we have to realize that it's actually falling into place. It will all make sense in time. So, in Christ, we must move on. Make plans according to what you believe God wants and then dream of things that you can do that will glorify Him and bring you joy. In the song "He's Always been Faithful" by Sara Groves we get the following truth, “I can’t remember a trial or a pain he did not recycle to bring me gain. I can’t remember one single regret in serving God only and trusting his hand. All I have need of his hand will provide. He’s always been faithful to me” God will be faithful and bring His promises to pass.

If you've lost a dream recently, you're not alone. Being told "no" hurts and it doesn't often make sense. But let's continue to walk forward in faith. Keep dreaming, keep trusting, keep praying. And one day it will all fall into place.