Living the Dream (at 54)Andy Freeman - 29 May 2014
News outlets have had fun telling the story of Bolivian President Evo Morales this week - not for any piece of legislation or politics, but because the 54 year old has signed for a professional Bolivian football club.
Morales is apparently a bit of a footballer and will wear the No.10 jersey for Sports Boys in Bolivia. The club announced the signing and said President Morales would only play in some games and not the whole of matches because he was so busy being President.
“We’ll send him a list of matches and he’ll chose which one’s to play in” said a Club Representative.
I have to say this brightened up my day when I read about this. The President of Bolivia living his dream and playing professional football. It’s brilliant. Apparently he’s wanted to do this all his life and now at 54, in the midst of running the country, the dreams come true.
It seems to me we hear about people living their dreams a lot more nowadays. TV talent shows give people their 15 minutes of fame and the chance to perform or play or create in front of millions. Life long dreams fulfilled in front of all of our eyes every Saturday night. Sometimes though these dreams don’t turn out so well - people realise they’re maybe not so talented or that fame has it’s price. Dreams turning into reality sometimes isn’t all it’s meant to be.
Jesus told his followers “I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10 The Message)
I wonder what you think that means?
Our dreams and ambitions can be wonderful things. Think about the passion you have for art or sport or music or writing or maths or science. Think about the amazing potential of you living and expressing that to the full. It sounds like a joy.
But I wonder whether that has to be about fame too? I don’t think so. To fully live out your passions and skills doesn’t have to mean fame or success. To live real life in knowing Jesus means our audience is Him and our expression of the gifts he gives us can be about bringing joy, or serving others, or offering him worship. It’s a different measure.
When Van Gogh’s Sunflowers was sold at auction for $40 Million many people noted how he had only sold one painting during his lifetime. Success or failure? There would have been people who said Van Gogh’s art was no good because it didn’t sell. Instead his art has inspired generations to come.
Living the dream isn’t always what we think.
"It matters not if the world has heard or approves or understands . . . the only applause we’re meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands” B.J. Hoff, Author