When we pray, we often have an outcome in mind that we want God to bring about.  Our outcome however, is not necessarily what God has in mind.  It is not difficult to figure out whose outcome is best.

When I was a young believer, I had a vision or dream as to how I would serve the Lord throughout my life.  I would get a Doctorate degree and teach on the college level in a Christian environment. That was my dream.  It did not happen.

God created a sinless Adam and Eve and placed them in a perfect environment with instructions as to what to eat and what not to eat.  They disobeyed.  They fell.  There were consequences!  

But God……knowing the end from the beginning, sent forth His Son, the Lamb of God, slain before the foundation of the world to redeem us from the penalty of our sin.

I used to say that I did not want to live my life over again, because I was afraid that when I came again to the cross roads of decision, I might not trust Christ the second time through.  I didn’t trust myself to make the right decision a second time.

A wise person heard me say that and reminded me that I did not find Him, He found me.  I did not seek Him, He sought me.  I did not choose Him, He chose me……..failures, shortcomings and all!

Who fails God?  We do.  Who chooses the place of our calling, knowing full well what lay ahead?  God does!  Praise His name!!!

Knowing that God is sovereign and that He is in control of all things, good or bad, enables us to yield and accept His will even when it is not what we expected.  

The death of a believer’s dream or vision is simply the closing of a door.  It is the narrowing down of our choices.  It is one less thing with which we need to concern ourselves.  It is God giving us direction.

Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.

Note:  Disobedience and bad decisions have consequences and the thoughts expressed above were not written to minimize those consequences.

The death of a dream can be painful and the pain is not soon forgotten, whether it is due to disobedience, bad decision making,  or just not being God’s will.

The outcome that matters is not necessarily what we dream of or envision for God.  The outcome that matters is God’s.