In his book Shattered Dreams, author Larry Crabb writes, “Shattered dreams are not accidents of fate. They are ordained opportunities for the Spirit first to awaken then to satisfy our highest dream.” Crabb goes on to say, “He uses the pain of shattered dreams to help us discover our desire for God.”
For many of us, our temptation is to complain and become bitter to the point of resentment toward God. However, Zechariah and Elizabeth show us that it is possible to remain holy through deep disappointment and shattered dreams.
The writer of Psalm 13 knows this well, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” You can feel the writer’s confusion, pain, and suffering. Yet, instead of moving away from God our writer asks the hard questions and then closes the prayer with these words, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”
This is the real gift of Christmas. God has been good to each of us in sending his son Jesus to save us. Shattered dreams are opportunities to build and reinforce our trust in God alone. What is your “How long” prayer?
Today, ask God “How long” but close your prayer with, “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.”
