He was going to travel the world, do great things, and make his father proud. But none of those dreams were realized. He ended up trapped in a small town with a two-bit savings and loan company, wondering whether his life was worth anything.

I read that this movie is now much more popular than it was when it first came out. In 1946, it’s box-office performance was a disappointment. The writer of the article suggested that one reason for it’s resurgence is that it resonates with so many disappointed baby boomers who feel, like George Bailey, that life did not turn out the way they had planned. They want to know that they matter, that what they have done is worth while after all. They want to know that when all is said and done, their over-riding feeling will not be disappointment.

Dallas Willard writes, “I meet many faithful Christians who, in spite of their faith, are deeply disappointed in how their lives have turned out. Sometimes it is simply a matter of how they experience aging, which they take to mean they no longer ‘have’ a future. But often due to circumstances or wrongful decisions and actions by others, what they had hoped to accomplish in life they did not. They painfully puzzle over what they may have done wrong, or whether God has really been with them.”

Much of the distress these people have comes from a failure to realize their lives lie before them. Because they are coming to the end of their present lives, life “in the flesh” is of little significance. The most significant is the kind of people they have become. Circumstances and other people are not in control of a person’s character or the eternal life that lies before us in the kingdom of God.

We are significant to God. He notices when we sit down and when we stand up. He knew us when we were “knit together” in our mother’s womb. When we surrender our life to God, we can realize like the psalmist David, “You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am.” (Psalm 139:3 NLT). Read Psalm 139.

I recently had one of those mornings when I was struggling with feelings of failure. But God knows our thoughts. “You even know what I am going to say before I say it, Lord…” (Ps 138:4, NLT) As I was walking my golden retriever, Miki, near Eagle Creek State Park, I saw a large boulder across the road in a field with a plague on it. Curious, I went to see what it was. The inscription read, “God’s Acres.” It was a memorial given by the Coventry-Mayberry family to their church and to missions from the profit of the acres. At the bottom of the plaque in small print was this inscription, “One is no failure who helps keep alive God’s truth upon earth.” Yes, God cares about our very thoughts, dreams, and seemingly disappointments.

Joseph had a dream, and a beautiful robe given to him by his father. But his jealous brothers sold him into slavery, ripped his robe apart, dipped it in the blood of an animal, and told their father that Joseph must have been killed and devoured. Joseph was lied about and thrown in prison. But Joseph found meaning and purpose in the storm even when his hopes and dreams seemed to end in disappointment. “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love; he gave him favor…” (See Genesis 37-39). In prison, Joseph didn’t focus on himself. A butler and a baker were downcast because the King threw them in prison. Joseph spoke encouraging words to them. Even though the butler was released, it was two more years before he spoke to Pharaoh on Joseph’s behalf. Joseph was promoted by Pharaoh and his dreams were finally fulfilled by God. Storms and disappointments have a way of teaching what nothing else can.

Remember, there is a life that lies endlessly before us and it’s a wonderful life! In the greatest story of all, God sent another young man. His followers thought their hope and dreams were dashed. He, like Joseph, wore a robe, a scarlet robe. But it was given in mockery, and he too found His robe taken from Him by those who intended to kill Him. Crowds mocked Him, friends abandoned Him, Peter denied Him, Judas betrayed Him, and soldiers crucified Him. He died for you and me. He was laid in a dark, cold tomb. But on the third day, He arose victorious over death, hell and the grave. (See John 18-20).

Ever since that third day, whatever disappointments may enter your life, they have no power to separate you from God. You can have a wonderful life today and forever with Jesus.

A - Admit you have sinned. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

B - Believe in Jesus. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only
Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John
3:16)

C - Confess and leave your sin. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)