The following is an excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” speech:
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
I’m guessing most of us are familiar with this speech. Earlier in that speech, he shares his dream that someday ALL men and women would be considered equal. This dream gave him hope for a better future and it compelled him to speak out and seek to make it happen.
Do we have a dream? Do we have a hope that compels us to take action? In 1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (TLB), Paul writes: “…An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step…”
Paul tells us here that we have an amazing hope, which fuels our dream. Our hope is not for just a ribbon or trophy, but eternal life with Jesus, for us and for everyone who comes to Him and asks. We should be striving for the kind of dreams that have eternal significance. The trophies and praises of this world will pass away, but the things of the Lord are forever.
We need to dream dreams that will impact eternity. When we choose to seek out God’s dream for our lives, we realize our purpose. And God’s dreams lead us towards His goals: life-changing goals that bring glory and honor to the Lord and extend His kingdom both here and now, and also for eternity.
God has a dream and purpose for our lives. I encourage all of us to take some time this week to ask Him, “What are some dreams You have for our life? What are some ways we can partner with what You are already doing to extend Your love and grace to people around us and to share the hope that is only found in You, Jesus?” And then quiet our heart and listen for His voice. He promises that if we ask, He will answer.
Are we willing to grab hold of the dreams He has for us and run with purpose?!
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