The Blessing Of Unfulfilled Dreams

THE BLESSING OF UNFULFILLED DREAMS

TEXT: 2 Chronicles 6:7-8

2 Chronicles 6:7-8 -- Now it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel But the LORD said to David my father, Forasmuch as it was in thine heart to build an house for my name, thou didst well in that it was in thine heart:

l. INTRODUCTION -- DESIRE

A. General

-Show me a man who has a dream. Show me a man who has a vision. Show me a man who has desire and passion. . . . . . And I will show you a man who is going to shape his world.

-I have seen desire make up for a lack of talent. I have seen desire make up for a lack of resources. I have seen hunger make up for obstacles.

-Life really is indeed a matter of the heart. What really matters is how big the heart really is.

Donald Miller -- Ambition is the spur that makes man struggle with destiny. It is heaven=s own incentive to make purpose great and achievement greater.

J. Hawes -- Aim at the sun, and you may not reach it; but your arrow will fly far higher than if aimed at an object on a level with yourself.

1. Columbus -- Joaquin Miller

-The following poem written in tribute to the immortal Columbus for his discovery of America gives a great lesson in having a dream that comes from the heart.

Behind him lay the gray Azores,

Behind the Gates of Hercules;

Before him not only shoreless seas.

The good mate said: Now we must pray,

For lo! The very stars are gone.

Brave Adm’r’l, speak; what shall I say?

Why, say: Sail on! Sail on! And on!

My men grow mutinous day by day;

My men grow ghastly wan and weak.

The stout mate thought of home; a spray

Of salt wave washed his swarthy cheek.

What shall I say, brave Adm’r’l, say,

If we sight naught but seas at dawn?

Why, you shall say, at break of day:

Sail on! Sail on! Sail on! And on!

They sailed and sailed, as winds might blow,

Until at last the blanched mate said:

Why, now not even God would know

Should I and and all my men fall dead.

These very winds forget their way,

For God from these dread seas is gone.

Now speak, brave Adm’r’l; Speak and say

He said: Sail on! Sail on! And on!

They sailed. They sailed. Then spake the mate:

This mad sea shows his teeth tonight;

He curls his lips, he lies in wait,

With lifted teeth, as if to bite:

Brave Adm’r’l, say but one good word;

What shall we do when hope is gone?

The words leapt like a leaping sword:

Sail on! Sail on! Sail on! And on!

Then, pale and worn, he kept his deck,

And peered through the darkness. Ah, that night

Of all dark nights! And then a speck--

A light! A light! A light! A light!

It grew, a starlit flag unfurled!

It grew to be Time’s burst of dawn.

He gained a world; he gave that world

Its grandest lesson: On! Sail on!

-And so it is with vision, with dreams, there must be an understanding that obstacles may come but still that quiet voice within that urges, emboldens, and drives men to move on and on and on!

-One must always remember that to every man whose life submits itself to some purpose or progress will in due time experience some disappointment. But the man who overcomes is that man whose heart is filled with the steel faith that filled Caleb’s, Give me my mountain! attitude.

B. Biblical

-The Word of God is very clear about it’s concepts of men reaching for spiritual dreams and desires. A relationship with God carries over into all other aspects of men’s lives.

Colossians 1:29 -- Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Psalm 42:1 2 -- As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

Philippians 3:12 14 -- Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 11:6 -- But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.