Why?
1. There’s a lot of rules in scripture and like all rules they require ethical application in light of circumstance. Jesus taught this over and over again to the Pharisees in stories (e.g., Luke 15) and in his actions. A wonderful book on how to apply in the business world is The Taming of the Shrewd by Paul De Vries.
…
2. It is God that made us with hopes and dreams. God often communicates with his children via visions and dreams, especially when they read his Word. We hope to have His dreams.
…
3. If luck is when preparation meets opportunity, and opportunity is not under our control, preparation includes our own efforts as in the stories of Matthew 25. Hope motivates preparation.
…
4. When do we prepare? We work hardest when we believe or expect to have opportunity. Christians are taught in scripture God has a plan for them, creating a massive expectation of blessing/opportunity — though it is not necessarily in worldly gain in our lifetime — when we believe. The word blessing can mean to “have expectations of.” Expectation is hope. If we hope, we prepare. If we are prepared, we will catch our opportunities. Success is often a consequence of blessing/expectation.
…
5. Social science agrees with scripture that it is essential to hope and dream. Even when the subject is boys and reading. If boys expect/hope to enjoy, they do.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/can-boys-beat-girls-in-reading-1462202491
…
6. Scriptural rules are guidelines for human flourishing. Where they are inconsistent with dreams, we may be tempted. Resist! Return to put your hope in the Lord and try again. Know that you will never follow the rules under your own power. In some cases, the rule may be misapplied. Rules may be misapplied because they are from a different age (e.g Old Testament vs. New) or because technology has changed the consequences of not following a rule (e.g. eating pork). Scriptural rules are durable, meant to work for all times including when there is no access to technology. They embody thousands of years of wisdom. And yet, the whole point is God is able to rescue us from the paradox of unfollowable rules.
…
7. C. S. Lewis said, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream,” That doesn’t mean all dreams are feasible or consistent with God’s best plan. But if we search, we will find the right dreams . Hope in the Lord, and then your dreams, the ones He sends, will pursue you. Dare to reach for them.
Order historical fiction novel Rekindled with the button below.
