The Impossible Dream (2 Timothy 1:8-9)

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest, to follow that star,
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right without question or cause
To be willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause
And I know if I'll only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To fight the unbeatable foe, to reach the unreachable star

The Impossible Dream
Written by Joe Darion and Mitchell Leigh

Many are familiar with this beautiful song, taken from the famous Broadway musical, The Man of La Mancha. The main character, Miguel Cervantes, is imprisoned and about to face the Spanish inquisition. In prison, he is forced to make a defense of himself. He creates a fictional character, Don Quixote, a knight errant, sworn to uphold the forgotten traditions of chivalry. This song, sung to his love, Dulcinea, crystallizes his quest, his reason for living.

The words are majestic and the sentiment noble. And the message, strangely familiar.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.
2 Timothy 1:8-9 (NKJV)

The Apostle Paul wrote these words at the end of his life. He had been imprisoned many times and faced death on many occasions. Shipwrecked, beaten, whipped, stoned-he endured all of this and more for one reason. It was not for chivalry, for the love of a woman, or some existential ideal for living. It was to share the good news of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.

There are many noble causes for which one can fight and die. But there is none more noble than accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and sharing the Good news.

And this is not an impossible dream.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.