The #1 Dream Crusher

How to Avoid a Common Setback

My sons are polar opposites. When they were little, they saw eye-to-eye on almost nothing. When they started doing spiteful things to each other, I sat them in a time-out that they could control- they could both get up whenever they wanted. The only catch was that they had to apologize and ask the other permission to get up. If the other did not grant permission, he was also not allowed to get up.

Depending on the depth of the wound, they could glower at each other endlessly, both trapped in the corner of their own making. Other times, they saw the futility instantly and granted each other pardon and permission at once.

Well, that is a lesson I wish I had learned myself. I often avoid dealing with people I don’t agree with, or struggle to keep a lid on my opinion of things that have no hope of changing someone else’s thoughts or behaviors. Why do I need so desperately to be right about something that I will put myself in my own time-out? Worse yet, my lack of understanding could trap someone else in my corner of dishonor while neither of us moves forward.

What does that have to do with dreams?

I can tell you that any God-given dream will demand unity as a price tag. Just when you think you are on your way, there will be a requirement to work with someone you don’t understand, who thinks differently, or stretches your compassion. That does not mean you have to agree with them, but it is required that you keep your head cool and your heart open if you want to keep moving forward.

Case in point, when Jesus was leaving His dream in the hands of a bunch of confused, under-trained, fully human dudes (and only 12 of them, at that), He had a final prayer for their success. What did He ask God for when the fate of the world was in the balance?

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word; that they may all be as one, as you, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21 NIV)

Jesus goes on in verse 23 to say that when we are one as Jesus is one with the Father, that we will be made perfect in one, and the world will know Jesus was sent by God.

We are not called to act independently. God’s dreams for us are that we show the world unity amongst ourselves, and thereby reflect the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. As such, our dreams will strain our ability to see past the things we don’t understand about each other so that we may become the glorious reflection of true love that Jesus poured out on the cross.

In this way, not only will Jesus be lifted up, but we will be perfected! No petty difference is worth sacrificing this precious and perfecting unity.

So, when another human being seems to be an impediment to your dream, remember the perfect dream is that you get along with each other and bring a little heaven to earth. Even if that means letting them out of time-out when you don’t like it.

Reflection

In this time of divisive politics and strong beliefs about science, have you found yourself unable to fathom another’s point of view? What is the hardest to fathom?
How important is unity to Jesus?
Can you identify methods which Satan might be using to play us against each other?

Goals

Find three methods you can use to explore the viewpoint of someone you disagree with. Ask God for an open heart as you seek to learn why they feel this way.

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in me through their word; that they may all be as one, as you, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21 NIV)