It has been said that a person’s hopes and dreams are what define him and make him what he is in this life. I submit to you that to tie ones hopes to dreams only is a precarious and slippery slope on which to stand. Dreams are a flimsy, ever-changing facade that are more like shifting sand than anything solid and strong on which to place ones hopes. If we spend our lives in pursuit of dreams, what real hope do we have and what will we have at the end of our lives to further pursue. Is it not much more reasonable to place our hope in something that never changes and that will carry us on, not only in this life, but in the life to come?

Jesus taught in Matthew 7:24-29 that one who does what Jesus says is like one who builds his house on a rock and thus the house can withstand the storms of life and stand firm, while one who does not do what He says is like one who builds his house on shifting sand which, having no foundation, cannot stand in the storms of life. Isn’t this really what it is all about?

As Christians, our hope is in Christ, so that in doing the things He has commanded us, we will not only withstand the slings and arrows (storms) of life, but will be rewarded with eternal life when this life is over. What more solid ground could one stand on? Surely not the shifting sand of our own vain dreams.

We hope for many things in this life, but instead of letting our hopes and dreams define us, why not rather let our hopes and prayers define who we are. We should pray for the things we desire or hope for in this life, working toward these goals with all our strength in the hope that God will grant them if it is according to His will. Too, our hopes and prayers should be shaped and developed by our hope in Christ, which is the ultimate hope and influence in the godly, righteous life.

We should be aware that it is possible for the Christian to serve God and Christ for what it means in this life only, rather than living ones life for the life to come by keeping their eye on the prize and working toward it. When writing against those who believed there was no resurrection and that Christ had not risen, Paul wrote :” If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. ” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

This is really no different that merely pursuing dreams in life, for Christ died  and rose from the dead to give us the hope of eternal salvation and life with Him and God, the father, in heaven. To be living for Christ means we should focus our hopes on the life to come, keeping our eyes on the reward of eternal life to come, to keep us on the straight and narrow path that leads to salvation in the end.

We should be working to ensure that ourselves and that others we may influence, may receive this reward, rather than be left foundering against the storms of life and the punishment of eternal torment that comes to those that do not place their hope in the Lord. In this way, Christ is the “anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19).

The same cannot be said for dreams which are adrift on a raging and dangerous sea without an anchor. A situation that can only result in ultimate destruction. So, let us get right with God by following the law of Christ and doing what He says, while our hope  can still do us some good and we have opportunity. If you have not been baptized for the remission of your sins do so today (see plan of salvation above and under categories). Place your hope in things eternal and not in the fleeting moments of  the short time you have in this life.

May God bless and keep you until next time.