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Broken Dreams
As children bring their broken toys, with tears,
for me to mend
I brought my broken dreams to God because he was
my friend.
But then, instead of leaving Him in peace to
work alone
I hung around and tried to help...with ways that
were my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried, "How can
You be so slow?"
"My child," He said. "What could I do? You never
did let go."
▪ By Ben Hildner ▪ |
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Broken dreams. We all have them, whether we call them that or not.
To begin, we all have dreams. From as far back as our memory goes,
we dream. We dream of growing up and expect life will take its
course as we imagine in our mind. We will be attractive, impressive
and popular in school; we will excel at a career, perhaps marry the
spouse of our dreams and then of course be a perfect parent to a
perfect child or children whom we will raise in a perfect home. We
will age gracefully and above all we will change the world and be
recognized for it. We are totally idealistic having been impressed
by books, the media and by listening to other dreamers express
perfect living conditions. In our affluent society, our dreams
continually become more vain and self-centered and we believe we are
entitled to fulfill every dream no matter what the cost.
As we begin this journey called life we begin to collect some
accomplishments and we predetermine what life will be like. We might
even experience the odd disappointment but determine to show good
character and accept these disappointments in stride. However, as we
get older, the accomplishments may become more significant, but the
disappointments become more glaring also. Sickness, death, broken
relationships, less than perfect spouses or children, failed
careers, aging bodies etc. may bring us to a screeching stop and our
dreams are shattered into a million pieces. We loose control. We can
no longer put on an image. We cry out “Where is God in all this? Was
I not guaranteed a life of blessing and happiness when I became a
Christian?” Often we face questions without answers and situations
that cause us to be stretched in our faith to the point that we will
never be the same.
First of all, God is not obligated to give us a life of ease. He is
obligated to stand with us, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”
and to equip us for every situation (My grace is sufficient for you,
my power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9). He gives
us hope in the midst of tragic circumstances (You turned my wailing
into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy”
Psalm 30:11). He has said that in this world we will have
tribulation and that the rain will fall on the just and the unjust.
Shattered dreams cause us to experience pain and a form of death. “I
tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and
dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces
many seeds.” John 12:24. So we too, cannot produce fruit for the
kingdom unless we experience a death. Broken dreams can cause
excruciating pain. To the point that we wonder if we will survive at
all. Realizing that God is in control of all things, we often blame
Him for the disappointment and come into a spiritual battle that
often drives us to know God in a new, and perhaps deeper level if we
allow it. To allow it often means walking through forgiveness.
Choosing to be thankful and praise in the midst of such brokenness
is the key to shaping a Christ-like character. It’s not my will but
yours. You are the potter, I am the clay. The deepest form of
worship is to lift your life in submission to the one who is the
author and the finisher of our faith. Like Mary. She brought her
alabaster box, broke open the box and poured out the precious
ointment and lay it at the Masters feet, bringing attention to him
instead of herself. Did the world understand? Not even his disciples
understood but she was giving pure worship. So we too need to lay
down our dreams and in fact, our very lives and trust that God is
perfect in every way even when we do not understand and the pain is
ripping in our hearts. We can trust in His faithfulness.
Have I experienced broken dreams. Yes, a few. Some bring greater
pain than others and some effects will be with me as a reminder all
my life. Has God given dreams back? Yes, some even better than the
original but some I have had to lay down forever. Is it easy? It is
never easy but I have learned more about Christ through pain than I
would have ever if my life would have unfolded the way I dreamed it
would. I cling to his promises and I know that He is the glory and
the lifter of my head. I have learned to praise Him in the midst of
all circumstances and I am learning to be content whether I have or
I have not. Unknowing to me, in the midst of the pain God has and
continues to conform me into His image. A holy work of God cannot be
explained, but it is felt by the peace deep within the soul. Through
the shattered dreams God has shown me his love, comfort and peace.
Do I understand the reasons? Enough to know that I can trust God
with them. One day it will all become clear and as I look to that
day I know that is one dream that will not be a disappointment in
any way but rather more than I can even begin to imagine. “No eye
has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has
prepared for those who love him” 1Cor. 2:9. Now that’s something to
dream about! |
