Dream and Hope Again

A boy lies on his back in a meadow, hands under his head, gazing into a blue sky. A tiny smile plays at the corners of his lips. What will he grow up to be? He dreams of success and hopes for happiness.

As young children, we dreamed beautiful, exciting visions of our future, but as we traveled down the highway of life, some dreams may have been lost or stolen. Or perhaps an unexpected accident trampled them, so we discarded them as unsalvageable. We tended the broken pieces in our hearts by burying those dreams deep inside—hidden, locked, the key thrown away, never again to see the light of day.

Cinderella’s Shattered Dreams

When her fairy godmother worked magic so she could attend the ball, Cinderella trilled about her future, but at midnight, she warbled a different tune. Her stagecoach turned back into a pumpkin, her ball gown into rags, and her glass slipper was lost. Reality shattered her dreams of marrying the prince.

Although she thought she had lost her ticket to princess-hood, her dreams still came true- just not how she’d imagined.

Reality Versus Dreaming

Reality can be merciless, full of bad news and discouragement. When our bubble of hope bursts, we don’t know which way to turn. How do we find our way back to that road where we and our dreams last walked together?

But here’s the truth: dreams are reality. Hope uses an invisible filigreed needle and silk thread to weave the fabric of our future. Its road is easy to find—and to relocate if we are currently on a detour. All we must do is believe in the Lord to lead us.

The Disciples’ Shattered Dreams

Did you know that two disciples, Peter and Cleopas, also experienced brokenness after Jesus’ crucifixion and burial? Although Jesus had told them what was going to happen to Him, they still didn’t understand. Although they had witnessed Him perform many miracles, they were about to be part of the fulfillment of the greatest dream of all time—a dream that was coming to pass differently than they had expected.

What was their dream? The Jews had been living under the oppressive political tyranny of the Romans. They knew from Scripture that their Messiah would physically come someday to bring deliverance and set up His kingdom on earth. The disciples and other believers knew that Jesus was that One.

The mistake, however, was their lack of understanding about God’s timing.  So, when Jesus was crucified, all their hopes and dreams of freedom died with their Messiah on the cross. In their deep sorrow, all they could ask was Why? Their dreams lay at their feet, shattered into jagged shards.

But Jesus didn’t leave them without an answer. On the third day after His death, there had been some reports among the disciples that Jesus was alive, but no one had yet seen Him.

The Road to Emmaus

These two disciples tried to make sense of what had happened to Jesus as they walked to Emmaeus. On the way, Jesus appeared to them, unrecognized. He encouraged them to tell Him why they were sad, so they poured out their hearts. Then Jesus taught them from the scriptures about Himself, beginning with Moses and the prophets, explaining why the Messiah had to suffer and then enter into His glory. He reached into their hearts, gathered those broken pieces, and mended them by answering their whys.

When they stopped for the evening, they pressed the traveler to stay at their home. After He said a prayer over the bread, the blinders fell from their eyes. Before Jesus disappeared, they recognized their Lord. He was alive—just like He said! Their dream wasn’t dead after all.

Their despair turned to overflowing joy as they sprinted back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples. Along the way, they analyzed what had just happened. “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32, NLT). Their dreams came true—just not in the way they had envisioned.

Dream and Hope Again

His kingdom is still coming in the future. But first, the perfect lamb had to sacrifice His life, shed His blood, and be resurrected so that mankind could be saved through Him. His kingdom will be established when He comes to earth the second time, and we all look forward to that day.

‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.‘

Jeremiah 29:11 NLT

Dear Father, during this resurrection week, my prayer is that we will not only find Jesus on our road of life but also that He will resurrect our broken dreams. Even when discouragement overshadows us, let’s look to You and remember to walk in hope. Let us trust in Your perfect timing, and may we rest in the knowledge that You are with us on our journey. Thank You that You will never leave us nor forsake us. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Dream and Hope Again by Karen Jurgens Copyright ©2025 All rights reserved.