GO BREAK SOME HEARTS

By Pastor Erland De Vera Palean

We have all been heartbroken for many different reasons — from losing a loved one to an unrequited love, or maybe because of a dream unfulfilled. Indeed, heartbreaks in life are inevitable.

In sociology, the study of human behavior from the lens of its communal influence, how we make decisions is very much predisposed in our culture. This diversity of cultural worldviews is evident in social patterns and norms.

In most countries that are individualistic, self-actualization or the fulfilment of one’s dreams whatever the cost is the ultimate goal. On the other hand, collectivist countries would rather have harmony and consensus as one’s primary responsibility. Thus, for collectivistic people who prioritize relationships, if not cautious, their dreams are placed on the back burner and they live their lives unable to self-actualize and realize their goals.

The truth is, we tend to break our own hearts just to appease the people around us — our families, our friends, and those who are dear to us. We try to accommodate them at the expense of our dreams.

Still and all, we cannot stay that way. Growing older, we learned to dream, and realized how chasing those aspirations would take blood, sweat, and tears. Nevertheless, not everyone will be happy with our dreams. Not everyone will understand them, either. So much so that sometimes, even our friends and family will not walk with us, but, will instead, walk away from us, in our pursuit of those dreams. They would not want us to change. They would not want us to pursue something so great for fear that we might not have the time to accommodate them in our lives anymore.

Growing up, hopefully, we will have a shift in perspective, priorities, and mindset. Some people, however, will not like that change, even if that “change” is helping us grow, prosper, and thrive. Our dreams might be desirable, selfless and altruistic. Yet, when our manner of realizing them defies norms, traditions, and expectations, people around us might discourage, if not hinder us, from pursuing them. They might even harbor ill feelings toward us in the process.

In the book of Genesis, we remember the story of Joseph and his dreams. His brothers hated him not just because of his father’s favor towards him, but more so because he dreamt of dreams, and he was not afraid to tell them. His heart was broken. He thought that his family would understand and that they would rally behind him.

Joseph, unmoved by his predicaments, chose to follow God’s dreams for him. Unperturbed, he believed in God who gave him those dreams, regardless of how his brothers acted against them.

The fact is, our dreams will not always be met with approval and applause. Remember, however, that we do not need either man’s approval or applause. Similarly, our dreams will not always be entertained and embraced by everyone. Take heart. Know that our dreams are not for people’s entertainment and we do not need their validation in our pursuit of them.

As a pastor, I always get excited when people share their aspirations with me. I love dreaming dreams, and I love the journey towards the fulfilment of those dreams. My prayer is that we all learn to trust the Lord in the pursuit of God’s aspirations for us. However, even before we unintentionally break other people’s hearts, we have to make sure that we have already allowed God to break ours - and to mold us, and that we have sincerely sought the Lord’s dreams in our journey.

"Be someone who dreams dreams. Be someone who follows your dreams. Be someone who breaks hearts if need be. Keep in mind that you will not break hearts because you will do something amiss. You will be breaking hearts because you will do what is just right."

As we march onward in the fulfilment of those dreams, may these words from Psalm 20:4 uplift and inspire us all, “May He grant you according to your heart's desire and fulfil all your purpose.”

Friends, I encourage you then, for the sake of God’s dreams for you, GO BREAK SOME HEARTS!

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