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“Greater than the death of flesh, is the death of hope, the death of dreams. Against this peril, we can never surrender. The future is all around us, waiting in moments of transition, to be born in moments of revelation.”
INTRODUCTION
You would expect that the quote above would have come from some ancient script of wisdom. Profound as it may be, it is actually from a script for the popular sci-fi series, ‘Babylon 5.’ You mean that there are actually some truths spoken by TV and movie script writers? That may come as a shock to some of our more ‘religious’ folk, but let us follow the exhortation from Job 34:3, "For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food." Surprisingly, among all the ‘dumbed-down,’ profanity laden, and usually liberalized commentaries of Hollywood, there is the occasional gem of insightfulness that rings a bell. Why should we be surprised? At one time, God spoke through a very unlikely vessel; Balaam’s ass was not very holy, but he had a vision and spoke for the Lord! When the church stays silent, God will use anything to get His message across.
PERILOUS TIMES?
Hopes and dreams transcend generations, but there is much that could discourage us right now considering the world's condition. We have nuclear threats from North Korea, imminent war with Iraq, and the tragic loss of the space shuttle with its precious cargo of seven souls, to name just a few of the world’s present woes. Since 9/11, it has been one thing after another and we certainly don’t need any more complications, but the temptation could be to get into navel-gazing mode and to lose sight of our dreams.
WATERED BY DREAMS
This is not the best environment for dreams to flourish, but spiritual life can be even hardier than natural life, popping up and even prospering in the most unlikely conditions. Opportunity and life go together like smoke and fire. Life will take advantage of the smallest opportunity and grow even under the hardest conditions when it is watered by a dream. Vision is the water for your destiny and risk is the soil it grows in. Theodore Roosevelt said, "It is impossible to win the great prizes of life without running risks."
SETTING THE PACE
Every year here in America, we remember Martin Luther King’s birthday with a national holiday, but perhaps we have forgotten one of the most profound things he ever said, "There was a time when the church was very powerful. It was during that period when the early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society..." The western church needs a vision-infusion so it can be revived back to its former strength and regain its commission of transforming society, instead of just sitting on the sideline and watching the world go by to perdition. We are called to set the pace, not follow behind the blind!
TAKING THE PLUNGE
Moments of revelation take place when we recognize that Providence has granted us a fleeting instant of opportunity which we must seize for our future’s sake. The church has one such moment within its grasp right now. Will we take the plunge?
“I am convinced and sure of this very thing that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ (right up to the time of His return). Developing (that good work) and perfecting and bringing it into full completion in you.” (Philippians 1:6 AMP).
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