Impossible Dreams

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

I always loved “The Impossible Dream” from the Broadway play “Man from La Mancha”. I can still hear Robert Goulet’s incredible baritone voice singing it. 

Dreaming the impossible dream. When do we come to the realization that our dreams are impossible?  What causes them to become impossible? As we get older some of us crash into some startling and unexpected observations. For instance, we all dreamed big dreams when we were younger. But as we rush through our twenties, thirties, and forties, we eventually slam head on into the realization that some of our dreams will never be realized. Mid-life crisis anyone?

Some miss out on some of their dreams, not because life got away from them, but because of bad choices got the better of them.  Others watch their dreams disappear because of circumstances beyond their control. Still others run into difficulties realizing their dreams so they give up and settle for less.

Joseph, of the multi-colored coat fame, had some huge dreams that through the events of one day of betrayal and deception disappeared as the fog lifts when the sun rises. He dreamed that one day he would be in such a position of responsibility and power that even his 10 older brothers would all bow down to him. (Note to reader…do NOT tell older brothers about a dream where they have to bow down to you…it will most likely not end well for you.)

At the age of seventeen Joseph found himself a souvenir purchased by a band of Ishmaelites heading to Egypt.  In Egypt the boy was sold to the Captain of Pharaoh’s palace guard, Potiphar. But, even though his dream seemed dashed, he found unexpected success and moved up the slave chain of command to head of the entire household.  Not the anticipated dream, but not bad for a kid thrown into a well by his own brothers.

But, that didn’t last long. Potiphar’s wife got the hots for “well-built and handsome” Joseph and made multiple not all too subtle advances to the point that Joseph had to run away from her, with his cloak left in her hand. She cried rape, he was arrested and into jail you go buddy.

His life was a rollercoaster ride. One minute a slave the next in charge of Potiphar’s house. Suddenly off to prison and ending up in charge of the prison. Then he found himself in front of Pharaoh, to interpret his dreams. With God’s help he was able to warn Pharaoh that Egypt would have seven years of bumper crops and he needed to store up because those great seven years will be followed immediately by seven years of famine. Recognizing his wisdom, Pharaoh put Joseph second in command of all of Egypt.

Because of God’s direct involvement in his life, Joseph was able to save his family; the same family that God was building into a nation. Joseph was in position to bring his family to Egypt and give them the most fertile land in Egypt to live and work. And it was definitely fertile. In the time they were there they were “fruitful and increased greatly” (Exodus 1:7).

Joseph could have lost his life getting caught up in the details of his life, chasing his dreams and desires. Instead, he chose a better story. God’s story.

You can do the same. If your life’s dream has stalled, look to God. If your dream now realized is not all you thought it would be, look to God. He can give you another dream. A better one, not according to the world’s standard but God’s great plan. Just like Joseph’s. Then you’ll have a story to tell.

To dream the impossible dream. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Keep on dreaming, focusing, and aligning yourself to God’s Upper Story. One day, those dreams will become reality. They will then become Your Story.