Hopes, Dreams, and Idols

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. (Proverbs 13:12 NLT)

What does having hope mean to you? I guess if we can see a "light at the end of the tunnel," then we have a more positive outlook even in the midst of life's difficulties. In Proverbs 13:12, we see that hope deferred (put off until a later time) makes the heart sick. Indeed, if you're in the middle of a tough situation and you can't see the light, your heart can be sick. 

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Something I've hoped for is being deferred again. I've carried this hope for many years. And yes, my heart is a little sick. The second part of the verse mentions that a dream fulfilled is a tree of life-- a breath of living joy, if you will. I'm still waiting for my "tree." 

My question today is this: Is the thing you're hoping for an all-consuming desire? Mine can be. If this is the case, consider the suggestion that your desire might just be an idol in the eyes of the Lord. 

Do you think of your dream more than you think of God? Does it take more of your attention than prayer and Bible reading? I am not preaching, believe me, because this has been my situation. We have to be very careful about putting God first in our lives. Anything that takes top spot can be an idol, whether it's money, sports, shopping, or even our family. 

That One Thing

I met a woman once outside a large rummage sale that had not yet opened its doors. She was having a panic attack because she couldn't wait to find that "one thing" that would make her happy. I told her absolutely nothing in that sale would make her truly happy. Easy for me to say, since shopping is not my idol. 

But my words to that woman apply to myself as well. My dream will not make me truly happy, even though it involves serving the Lord. Ironically, our service to God can be an idol if whatever we do becomes more important than God Himself. And God will not put up with idols. Turning my dream into an idol has resulted in my "sick" heart. God has deferred my dream to help me turn my focus back to Him. 

What are your dreams? How have they been making your heart sick? Or, how are they now a "tree of life" to you? I look forward to your comments.