Dreams Along the Journey
You have dreams. Some became your reality, and you are living them right now. Others you left along the way, realizing they were never truly yours — just ideas imparted by others. Some dreams died because you were too afraid to move beyond imagination. Then there are those you longed to see fulfilled but could not figure out how. Time passed, age climbed, opportunities faded. They grew silent, not because you chose silence, but because circumstances seemed beyond your control.
It is these silenced dreams that haunt you most. Even when you try to forget, something keeps stirring inside — subtle signs that hope is not gone. Some dreams, though silenced, never die.
Sarah’s Silenced Dream
This brings to mind Sarah in scripture. She dreamed of becoming pregnant, of holding a child, of being a mother. It was a simple, ordinary dream — one many share. Yet after marriage, that dream began to disintegrate year after year. She remained barren (Genesis 11:30).
Pressure mounted. Abraham was convinced he would be a father, but Sarah wondered how. Facing her reality, she still clung to expectation. Perhaps she could not conceive, but surrogacy seemed a way to experience motherhood (Genesis 16:1–2). Yet even that failed. At eighty-nine years old, she made peace with her reality. She would not fulfill this dream.
Then one day, while at home, she overheard a conversation that reignited hope. She laughed at the absurdity (Genesis 18:10–12), but deep down, she knew hope had returned. The dream was not dead, only silenced. No matter how she tried to let it go, it would not let her go. One year later, at 90 years old, Sarah gave birth to Isaac (Genesis 21:1–3). The dream lived.
Dreams Gasping for Air
Most likely, you are not ninety, nor do you face such dramatic journeys, but you too have dreams gasping for air, fighting to rise above the silence.
What might those dreams look like?
- The longing for children or marriage, even when others say it’s too late
- An educational pursuit paused by family responsibilities, yet still lingering in your heart
- A business idea you tried before and failed, but that continues to stir within you
- A ministry call that feels far too big, leaving you hesitant to act, yet refusing to die
Like Sarah, the Lord may remind you. Friends may remind you. These moments keep the dream alive. It refuses to die.
Stop Passing Off What Was Meant for You
Some things were designed with you in mind, not someone else. Stop passing them off.
One reason dreams fall silent is the belief that once the vision comes, execution must be immediate. But urgent does not always mean immediate. Over time, doubt creeps in, and silence follows. Yet God often sends reminders — people, circumstances, even this blog — to awaken what still lives.
Sarah was told, “By this time next year” (Genesis 18:10). That word meant preparation. She had to get ready for the baby in the same way you have to get ready for the dream, the project, the degree, the business, the ministry, the new career path.
What might preparing for your dream look like?
- Shifting career paths to align with your calling
- Starting your own business or revisiting a past idea
- Reviewing universities or programs and enrolling in the one that fits your vision
- Drafting the plan for your business, ministry, or home project
- Sharing your ideas with trusted mentors or friends to gain clarity
- Praying consistently over the vision until you know it’s time to deliver — because prayer brings clarity and focus
Let Your Dream Live
Recognize the dream you silenced. Accept that it still wants to live. Move forward. The silence was only preparation for what is to come. Your dream wants to live. Let it.
So, what dream have you silenced that still wants to live?
This reflection is part of my author journey at Plunkett Writes. You can also follow along on Instagram @plunkettwrites where I share my writing journey.