"When everybody's in and you're left out
And you feel you're drowning in the shadow of a doubt
Everyone's a miracle in their own way
Just listen to yourself, not what other people say."

- Jon Bon Jovi/Richie Sambora

 

Shattered Drreams

 “Whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you.” –Romans 15:24

One of the most agonizing problems within our human experience is that few, if any, of us live to see our fondest hopes fulfilled. Is there anyone of us who has not faced the agony of blasted hopes and shattered dreams?

In Paul’s letter to the Roman Christians, we see this vexing problem of disappointed hopes: “Whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you.” One of his ardent hopes was to travel to Spain where, at the edge of the then known world, he might further proclaim the gospel. On his return he wished to have personal fellowship with the group of Roman Christians. I can imagine his excitement, his quickening of heart with joy, his anticipation with glee. His preparations now centered in carrying the gospel to the capital city of Rome and to Spain. What a glowing hope stirred within Paul’s heart!

But then again, Paul, never got to Rome according to his pattern of hopes. He was indeed taken there but as a prisoner and was held captive in a little prison cell. Nor did he ever walk the dusty roads of Spain, nor look upon its graceful sceneries, nor watch its busy coastal life. He was put to death, we presume, as a martyr for Christ in Rome. Paul’s life is a tragic story of a shattered dream.

Life mirrors many similar experiences. Who has not set out toward some distant Spain, some momentous goal, or some glorious realization, only to realize that at the end he has to settle for much less? Just like Paul, there are many who never walk as free men through the streets of our “Rome”, instead, circumstances decree that they live within little confining cells. Like Abraham, we too sojourn in the land of promise, but so often we do not become “heirs with him of the same promise.” Always and always and always our reach exceeds our grasp.

Ever present in human history, we see this pattern of life repeats itself. Mahatma Gandhi, after struggling for years to achieve independence, saw a bloody religious war between the Hindus and the Moslems. The subsequent division of India and Pakistan shattered his heart’s desire for a united nation. Woodrow Wilson died before realizing the fulfillment of his consuming vision of League of Nations. Steve Irwin, also known as the Crocodile Hunter, died a from a freak incident.
Bringing it closer to the bible, Jesus, after praying in the garden of Gethsemane that the cup may pass, nonetheless, drank to the last bitter dregs. And the Apostle Paul repeatedly prayed that the “thorn” might be removed from his flesh, but the pain and the annoyance continued to the end of his days.

Shattered dreams are hallmark of our mortal life.