Translating a World on the Edge

Most of us have a dream; something we aspire to do, or be. Maybe we’ve already accomplished our dream, or maybe we’re still in the process. What does it take to make a dream become a reality?

First and foremost, an accomplished dream requires a committment–we have to want it badly enough to stay loyal to it. This can be very inconvenient, and we may be criticized, or even ridiculed. I think of Christopher Columbus who for years pushed for someone to finance his idea of a western route from Europe to a “new world.” People thought him crazy; yet he persisted until the King and Queen of Spain agreed. And you know what happened next.

Then comes the trying, because without hard work the dream probably won’t see daylight. Without hard work, a person is dealing only with a ‘wish.’ “If wishes were horses, beggars would ride” is an English language proverb and nursery rhyme, originating in the 16th century, used to suggest that it is useless to wish and that better results will be achieved through action. Hard work is that action. We have to be very good at whatever our dream requires.

And then, there’s confidence. A person committed, and willing to work hard, must have confidence in himself. Confidence is an inner quality of the mind and requires that we face our fears. Many of us face our fears by trusting in God.

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision,

“Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” —Genesis 15:1 –

Finally, we should be enthusiastic about our dream. Sometimes that means asking someone for a chance. We must be enthusiastic enough to say: “Put me in the game. Let me show you what I can do!”