WHEN THE BEST GIFT IS A SHATTERED DREAM
September 22, 2010 by ysae
Filed under SERMON POINT
All of us are born dreamers. We all have dreams. What makes us different from each other is that others will pursue their dreams while others will just go and keep dreaming. It’s the pursuit of our dreams that will separate us from the average person.
However there comes a time in the pursuit of our dreams that everything seems to fall apart and or dreams get shattered to a thousand pieces. We wanted so bad to study this course but couldn’t because we could not afford it. We want this person in our life only to be seen in another’s arms. We want this particular job only to see that the other applicant gets it.
Seeing our dreams get shattered is not only painful, it is an indescribable agony. But probably we’re only looking at it from our point of view. Probably, while shattered dreams are truly painful they may be the best gift we could have.
Some of the dreams we’re pursuing are probably not good for us and can lead us to our own destruction. And God has to shatter our dreams for us to be saved from unbearable heartaches that may come if we reach those dreams. Had you been financially able to study this course may end you up in a university full of pressure you may not handle. Had you end up with this “man of your dreams” or “woman of your dreams” may turn out that you’re not the only one. And you may have never been the first. Had you gotten that dream of job of yours may send you in an environment where corruption and immorality is as common as night and day. What use is a fulfilled dream if it leads you far from God?
You may not agree with this but for God to shatter our dreams is His agonizing way of showing how much He loves us. No parent would ever want to see his child get hurt. But no wise parent would allow his children to pursue things he knows would end up in something worse than getting hurt. I think we are so hard on God for breaking our dreams but did it ever occur to us He does not take pleasure in it or to see us hurt? His ways are just sometimes hard to understand but He always seeks what is best for us.
So what do we do with a shattered dream? Easy, give it to the Lord, because He will give us a better dream. One that is not only about success on earthly terms, but a dream that is aligned in God’s will and purposes.
When we give God the thousand pieces of our shattered dreams, He does not glue it all back again revealing all the marks of what was broken. But He takes them all and fashions all over again into a brand new dream you can pursue.
John 12:24, “I tell you the truth unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Let your dreams fall and let it die if it’s not something that God will take pleasure in. Let it become seed that can be planted because God said, it can reproduce to something better. As long as we hold on to our dream, it will be just a dream. But let it go and let it die for what God can give you and see a greater blessing unfold.
Do you have a shattered dream? Time to dream a better one. Ask from God. Your shattered dream may just be the best gift you have received.
(an excerpt from the sermon given last September 19, 2010 at Full Life Baptist Fellowship, Dagupan City)
uh… wow? this is REALLY good, pastor. powerful powerful. “What use is a fulfilled dream if it leads you far from God?” – such a needed question to be asking ourselves.
thanks for what you’re doing for the Kingdom!
thanks dan! It’s better to have God’s dream fulfilled in us!
Thank you. I needed this. It was really relevant to me. Gave me insight I needed to hear – though it hurts – letting go. So hard to release something you were sure was in his plan – but when it all falls to pieces – you realize it obviously wasn’t what you had believed it to be. Amy Grant sang a song… if I have to die for you… once I held it in my hand… it was a castle made of sand – now you’ve blown it all away. I can’t believe that I can say… & I’m so glad. happy sad…
wow. this is my heart. I’m just a broken vessel – a ‘cracked pot’ – like all his children – part of his
masterpiece – as imperfect as I am. We’re all still ‘work in progress’ until he brings us home to heaven. And I believe that this is how it is meant to be – for him to perfect his glory in us. That is his word – is how he uses our greatest weakness to show forth himself & his power. We take no credit. We can’t. When we rise from the ashes – it is all him – Jesus… not ever us. He will allow no flesh HIS glory! Thank you again.
Thanks zoe! Love the “cracked pot.” In the sight of God, we’re only useful when we’re broken.
This HITS me big time Pas!
I simply love it.
Now I let go, I should have done it earlier pas.
Be blessed po, namiss ko po kayo!
i’m familiar with the topic because of the many experience i have. all i know is that God is still working out the best for me. God bless Pong!