When Dreams Seem Beyond Our Reach

"For nothing is impossible for God." Luke 1:37

Walking toward our dreams, taking one faith-step at a time, proves exhilarating and exhausting, empowering and deflating, possible and impossible all at the same time. When our journey turns the corner from months to years, Doubt slithers around every bend serving up handfuls of discouragement, hardships and lies hoping we'll let it all go.

Here, confronted by Doubt, we have two choices: trust God's promises and hang on tight, keeping in step or believe Doubt's lies, let go and turn back home, convinced our dreams are simply unreachable.

Avoiding difficulties marks our humanity and Doubt plays that trump card every time. Traveling the straightest, smoothest, easiest road appeals to us most naturally - especially when we're afraid or weary - doesn't it?

Jesus warned his disciples in John 16:33, "In this world you will have trouble." Living in this broken world trouble is inevatalbe. But Jesus didn't leave his disciples (or us) hopeless. He continued, "But take heart! I [Jesus] have overcome the world." What a promise! If Jesus already overcame the world, what have we to fear? If he leads the way, we just need to follow him.

David puts it this way, "God is our refuge and our strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake their surging" (Psalm 46:1-3).

Here, in the witness of God's word that Hope replaces Doubt and we take hold of Trust. Our hearts rejuvinate and muster strength beyond ourselves until we fall in step with God's pace.

And here's the greatest promise as we journey together: "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

Oh Lord, when Doubt creeps in with trouble, when our hearts are weary from the journey and our dreams seem unreachable, before we let go, remind us of your promises. Remind us that for you, God, nothing is impossible! Replace Doubt with Hope, fill us with your Truth and Life, rejuvinate your dream in us, help us hold on tight until we burn with desire to follow in your footsteps once again. Amen.