When Dreams Die

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels - a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me." John 12:24-26 (New Living Translation)

Jesus was talking about his death and resurrection. The thought occurs to me this morning however - how about when God allows a dream to die - a dream for good, God-honoring purposes? It is devastating when the dream dies. Perhaps it was a dream for a loved one - the once good relationship has ended. Perhaps it was a dream for the potential we saw in someone and they made choices that ensures that the dream exactly as it was will never come to pass. Maybe it was a dream for a ministry. Our prayers seemed right in line with what we thought was the will of God. When that dream dies it can throw the child of God for a loop.

But, we serve a God of resurrection.

Jesus can make that which is dead come back to life and multiply. We learn to give our dreams up into His hands and trust His sovereignty knowing He is able to do far above what we think or imagine. God is able to give us new dreams - of things we never considered possible. God is able to resurrect hope and faith and multiply the death of that initial dream into many dreams for the future.

There were several times in Joseph's life that looked like his dreams had hit a dead end road. Yet, it came to pass that God preserved multitudes of people in part through what Joseph learned through the death of his dreams. And the ultimate answer to his many years of prayers, some spoken from a pit and some whispered in prison, were far beyond what Joseph ever could have imagined.

God raised Joseph up, and His plans for us are for good, as well.