The Power of a Dream

I was recently struck by a short article in Time magazine’s “The Most Influential People in the World” edition for May 2007. The article that caught my attention was about Elizabeth Edwards, the wife of Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards (pictured at right), who has just recently been told that the breast cancer she had been battling has returned and metastasized. Of course, the looming question over John’s bid for the presidential nomination is: “Doesn’t cancer stop all that?” Their simple answer to the world was: “No.” Elizabeth would receive treatment over the next few months, but the campaign would continue. The way they explained it was like this: “The Edwards’s have built a dream. It is who they are and what they know. To stop that dream would be to let the fear of cancer win.”

As I read these powerful words I thought of how often people fail to see their dreams realized because fear or anxiety shut down their ability to move forward. It’s like they become paralyzed and unable to move beyond the looming issue they may be facing. But just consider what the writer of the article on Elizabeth Edwards said about her own battle with cancer: “Cancer is powerful. It can stop whole lives and start new ones. It is the ultimate dark drama. Cancer brings a crisp urgency to every hour: Live right, live well, live now. Take each day and create. Create good, create love. Cancer touches everyone around it and can bring wisdom and learning.” I was deeply moved by these words as I read them, for I came to see again that absolutely nothing can stand in the way of someone who is living with a dream beyond themselves. For no matter what you have to face in life, the power of a dream – the thing you feel destined to achieve in life – can help you to stand against any obstacle that may be in your way.

Of course, there’s no sense making foolish statements about whether a person can or can’t beat cancer. Cancer is a serious disease and must be treated as such. But does cancer or anything else have the power to stop a dream you may feel born to pursue? Can dreams live despite our circumstances? I, for one, would have to say a resounding “YES!” In fact, I believe the obstacles we face in life make the power of a dream that much more significant, for anything of lasting value – anything that can change the world for the better – is worth fighting for! Perhaps this is why David said, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4, italics added, NIV). Clearly, dreams can only become a reality if we take those courageous steps of moving past our fears.

The late Bryn Jones talked about the importance of dreams at a course I took in the U.K. back in 1996. He shared six what I would call “Dream Principles” that can help each one us. These are:

1. Dream your dream - This is the hope that keeps your heart beating from day to day.

2. Plan towards your dream - Invest in those areas that will enhance what your dream is.

3. Live in keeping with your dream - Take daily steps towards the success of what you have seen.

4. Work to fulfill your dream - Hard work is always a part of any success you will enjoy.

5. Build relationships with people in keeping with your dream - If you want to be passionate, align yourself with passionate people.

6. Embrace prayer, holiness and zeal - These three help make your dream become a reality!