Dreamers

There are college students all over the nation right now anticipating graduation. The day is coming quickly when we are no longer in school but we are thrust into the "real world" of responsibility and independence. We will have to get jobs and become "productive members of society." Some of us dread it and some of us can't wait. Others follow the path to graduate school and put it off for a couple more years.

Talk to any senior in college on the verge of graduation and the most common question we are asked is, "What are you doing after graduation." Most seniors give the typical answer of continuing school or starting a job they have lined up. But sit around the campfire with a group of peers like I was last weekend and you see sparks inside each heart anxious to turn ablaze.

Most soon-to-be-graduates don't really want to follow the "normal" path and walk through life being "successful" by the world's standards. Most soon-to-be-graduates want to change the world in their respective field. Sitting around the campfire listening to the visions and dreams of others and contemplating my own made me think about those that have actually changed the world.

At some point Martin Luther King, Jr. was sitting in college dreaming of a way to change the world and Billy Graham was dreaming about inspiring the world for Christ. At some point John Glenn and Neil Armstrong were dreaming about exploring space and Mother Theresa was dreaming of a way to reach the poor and needy.

Every college graduate has a vision about how they can change the world on some scale. What happens to them all? At some point in the process the dreamers get caught up in the structure of society and are influenced by the system. At some point they start believing lies about the way it's supposed to be. At some point they give up on the dream. It may still be in their heart or on the back of their mind, but they give up any hope of making it a reality and the world stays the same.

How do we hold onto those dreams? How do the MLKs, Billy Grahams, John Glenns, Neil Armstrongs and Mother Ts of the world turn it into a reality?

Dreamers, fall on your knees. To do anything of significance you have to be faithful. Hold on to your dreams and turn them into realities. Do not lose heart. Share the dream with friends or anyone who will support you. Pray for wisdom and discernment to recognize the lies the world is screaming at you and turn from them. Dare to be different. Be bold. "The Lord did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline."

To those that are surrounded by dreamers: Maybe you are the support group for the dreamer. MLK had a mother. Billy Graham had extended family. John Glenn and Neil Armstrong had mentors. Mother T had a best friend heading in a different direction. Encourage those with a vision. You were once there. You had a vision. Maybe you got caught up in the system and your dream died. Do not kill their dreams! Support them. Do not pass along the lies of this world and discourage them. For them to do anything significant they must remain faithful and they need those around them to be faithful too.

Maybe your vision is still resting in your heart. Be inspired by the dreamers. Encourage their visions and be encouraged by them. This may be your chance to resurrect your dreams. To turn from the lies of the world and change the world. To do anything significant you have to be faithful.

Maybe you are living out your vision. You once sat where the dreamers are sitting now and you were encouraged, supported, and inspired by those around you to keep it alive. You know the pressure they are feeling to conform to the world. You know the lies they will hear. Protect them from that. Speak truth to them. Don't let the dream die! To do anything significant they must be faithful. You know that. Encourage that.

Dreamers, dream on. Remain faithful. Change the world from your knees.