Of Dreams and Contentment

Of Dreams and Contentment
By: Jacob Sok

 While preparing what I wanted to share in this piece, I came across a quote by the world renowned surgeon, Dr. Ben Carson, who said, "Through hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, you can live your dreams".  Living your dreams, is something I believe truly envisions a big part of what God hopes for us in mortality. I think for many of us we have (or have had) those dreams, we wish to fulfill, or hopeful reflections for things that might have been. It would seem in most cases that as children we, even if not taught, tend to dream big, with eyes not yet diluted with the lenses of pessimism or self-doubt. Then as we mature we are taught to plan, prioritize and set goals as means by which to achieve. At those times when things don't go according to plan, we are taught to be content and pick ourselves back up again.

While some tend to focus more on one or the other, it is my conviction that neither is superior, nor a replacement for is counterpart. But rather both have a harmonious dichotomy, that suggests that we can both dream big, and be content with our current circumstances. While these two principles may at first glance appear to be contradictory, I hope today we can explore some counsel, that will help us both find an renewed sense of hope in our dreams, and gratitude for what the Lord has done for us.

There have been times in my life where I couldn't sleep, because my brain and my heart would go a mile a minute, thinking of things I would love to do and live in my life. But, yet there have been times in my life when I have been so encapsulated by gratitude in the moment, I have been perfectly content with the here and now. It may seem to come in shifts but, I feel that there is way for us to use both gifts for our progression and happiness simultaneously.

While we could argue all day with philosophies and opinions of dreams and being content, I hope that what I share does not seem esoteric, or to be theoretical social fluff. Its my prayer that this article might help in proper spirit, reshape how we can use both dreams and contentment, in our plans and mortal sojourn. Wherever you are in your life, whether you look up at a star filled sky--- filled with invigorating dreams of far way places--creations--and possibilities. Or you look up at those same stars, just content to know you have a place among those, as a distinctly important and valued creation of our Heavenly Father; I know that both are divinely directed perspectives, in helping our eternal progression unfold.

          To Dream:

In the epistle to Paul to the Philippian Saints, we read of the famed, admonition of Paul. This is that of(see Phil."[Being] careful of nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication ... let your requests be made known unto God."  4:6). To 'be careful of nothing', is Paul's apostolic counsel, to not feel scared or have unduly concern (see footnote 4:6a), of dreaming and sharing those things with God. He further more in later verses, says "whatsoever things are [true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report], if there be any [virtue, praise] think on these things." (see Phil. 4:8). As we dream and plan, and take those things to the Lord in prayer, we can 'think on' or dream about those hopes we have, anything that meets those attributes is encouraged by our Father in Heaven. Why, because He hopes we can be co-creators with Him in our futures. This by any means does not belittle or undermine His will and counsel, nor make us His equal in anyway. But as any loving Father would, He hopes that we can take hold of the gifts of this life and share those hopes with Him, including Him in our dreams, becoming active participants in achieving great things. Elder Jeffery R. Holland, said "God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as he always has. But he can't if you don't pray, and he can't if you don't dream. In short he can't if you don't believe." 






    To Be Content:
Paul's powerful invitation is not just about dreaming however, and I find great power behind a second principle he shares with us. While we prayerfully share those dreams with God we are admonished to do all our prayers and dreaming with "thanksgiving" (see Phil 4:6). Paul continues saying, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (see Phil 4:11).  To be content is not to give up on what we hope for, rather it is a power that allows us to find the simple joys of the everyday, in the process of living our dreams. For if to dream righteously, is that of seeking a hopeful perspective of the future; to be content is that of finding hope with a grateful perspective, in the here and now. A modern Apostle would invite us to "Come what may, and love it" (Elder J. B. Worthlin).  Part of being content is not focussing on what we can't do or change. Paul taught with all sincerity, "this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before" (see Phil. 3:13). While some of our dreams reflect on what we could have done better or changed in days past, the whole purpose of dreams and goals is to move forward. By doing doing so in and with Christ, Christ will change the past, making all experience for our good!

If I have learned anything in my life, it would be that dreams are like unto a river, that with each ebb and flow, carve the landscape of our lives. Some dreams change over time, as they should; for coming closer to Christ, will help us dream of the truly eternally wondrous possibilities. As we cultivate our relationship with Christ, we not only learn to dream bigger of the blessings we can't even comprehend, but also we learn to recognize how much He blesses us in the everyday and to be content/ and grateful, for our river's flow for the time.

The best dream and truest sense of contentment will be that of coming to know our Savior. Paul testified of how he spent his life seeking after Christ and those blessings He promises us; only to find that Christ in all His love and grace spends His whole life seeking us, and Has already made those dreams available. (see Phil. 3:12). For I am sure the our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, also have dreams of helping us become the best people we can be, and returning to be with them someday.


So it becomes my humble invitation, that we can all learn to dream and contently walk to their fulfillment. I know that our Savior, Lord of the Universe, hopes that we can find joy and hope in the perceptive power of our righteous dreams, goals and plans, and as we strive to be content, will will find the renewal we need to perpetually fuel those hopes we have. For He that did the impossible will help us do the same! May we all learn to believe and achieve.

Amen




Sources:

- New Testament, Philippians Chapters 3&4
- Elder(s) Jospeh B. Worthlin & Jeffery R. Holland.
- Goggle Images: Media Photos and LDS Art Work.