What happens when, despite our best efforts, our dreams never come true? What do we do when our band just can’t seem to catch a break, and is still playing for a dozen people every weekend? Where do we turn when our amazing new novel simply can’t get published? How are we supposed to feel when we fantasize about preaching to thousands, yet only seem to be invited to speak to another 9-member drug recovery group?
What do we do when all our striving has led to seemingly nothing, and we’re still one-at-a-timing it with our ministry or business venture?
That means we failed, right?
Well, in a word:
NO!
Not if we’re doing it for Christ. Not if we’re keeping our eyes on Him.
I’m facing this with a dream I’ve carried since the 90s. I have a trademarked ministry name, and have been waiting for it to “kick off” for decades.
I knew I’d be a published author. There was no doubt.
I knew I’d be speaking to large gatherings of people; hundreds at least, maybe thousands. There was no doubt.
I knew I’d be making music, releasing a new album every few years. There was no doubt.
I knew I’d be able to pay off some bills with the money I’d be making at the large conferences where I’d be speaking. There was no doubt.
But I’m turning 60 next April and none of that has happened.
Thus, I failed, right? Well, not exactly.
I recently started putting something on my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/rob.weddle.3/) that says, “Message me if you’re hurting.” I’ve had two people take me up on that so far.
I post encouraging messages on my social media page. Do I get 2,000 “likes”, or even 200? Ha, not even close. But, does this mean what I’m doing isn’t important, just because my numbers don’t match that of well-known influencers?
Well, ask the three people who replied to a post I recently made. Their comments were:
“Exactly what I needed to hear this morning!! You don’t even know how much this ministered to me!!”
“Needed this. Thank you for posting.”
“I needed this one too, my friend.”
Those three people are precious to our Savior. They mean everything to Jesus, and He’ll go to extreme lengths to reach them, even using a man with unfulfilled dreams.
I’ve thought for years that I would be most effective doing “mass ministry,” speaking to huge groups of people, selling books and albums. But then a young man from my church, whom I hadn’t met personally, messaged me.
He was hurting. He’d lost someone precious in his life. I shared some of the pain I’d been through, and said, “I understand, man. I’m so sorry.” We messaged back and forth for a bit, until the Holy Spirit had given him the comfort he desperately needed in that moment.
And then we both moved on, and God reminded me that He left the 99 to reach the ONE who was lost (Matthew 18:12).
A lady sent me a message about what she was going through, and it was a lot. I was patient and “listened” (by Facebook Instant Messenger) and shared some of what I’ve learned in the past decades. Then she said:
“That’s just the word I needed! I don’t like it, but it’s what I needed to hear.”
Please understand, this is NOT me saying, “Wow, look how great I am.” In fact, quite the opposite. This blog is me coming to grips with having to release over 40 years of dreams. This is me offering a humble prayer:
“Jesus, You are all I need. Not book sales, not album sales or ‘clicks’ or ‘likes’ or any of that other nonsense. All I need is YOU.”
I was complaining to God this morning, saying how sad I was that none of my dreams have come to fruition. The Lord let me moan and grown a while, and then I felt Him ask me three questions that rocked me:
- Is salvation not enough?
- Is My sacrifice on the Cross not enough?
- Is Heaven not enough?
I was honestly speechless and repentant. I had no words.
So now I ask myself, and YOU:
What if your dreams never come true? What if you never get “popular” at whatever you strive to do or be? What if you only minister to one lonely, broken person at a time instead of “the multitudes”? What if you never become more than a “servant”? What if you never become a social media influencer? What if your book never gets published, or your band never plays to more than a handful of people? What if your social status never rises above where you are right at this moment?
Is Jesus enough?
Is salvation enough?
Is knowing you’re going to Heaven enough?
Here are some Bible verses that are helping me to come to grips with TRULY making Jesus “enough.”
“I don’t have anyone in heaven but You. I don’t want anything on earth besides You. My body and my heart may grow weak. God, You give strength to my heart. You are everything I will ever need” (Psalm 73:25–26 NIRV, emphasis added).
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ” (Philippians 3:8-10 TLB, emphasis added).
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 NKJV). If we reverse that question, it might read something like this: “What does it profit us if we have Christ and nothing else?” Answer: “We have everything.”
Jesus, today I ask You to forgive me, and to give me the strength to make You my “everything.” Help me let go of MY desires, of MY dreams, of MY goals, and give me the strength to actively pursue You with all my heart, mind, soul and strength.
And, God? My answer is “YES”.
Yes, salvation is enough.
Yes, Your heartbreaking sacrifice on the Cross is enough.
Yes, Heaven is enough.
Yes…YOU are enough.
OH, and say “Hi” to Mom for me, and tell her I’ll see her soon.
Broken People 