Dragons or Dreams?

I have heard that the old map makers would draw maps as far out as they had explored, and then when they reached the endpoint of their exploration, they would write on the edge of the map, "Beyond this, there may be dragons." Although they'd never seen a dragon, they were afraid of the uncharted, the unknown.
At the turning of the year, we can choose to imagine the possibilities for doing good, loving well, seeing the potential in others, and viewing life as a glass half full. Or,we can look ahead with uncertainty of the unknown, the uncharted days ahead. We can circle our wagons, clutch our possessions, tighten our control on whatever; we can live each day in relative fear. God knows there is evidence to lead in this direction.

We can plan well, but we know how that goes; we can make decisions but not control the outcomes. Our times have taught us the meaning of "web" - and it may be the main metaphor of our current human condition. Like it or not, we are connected to strangers who with a snap of their fingers can change our life. Our thoughtful strategies, our carefully mapped out plans are pawns on the global chessboard. So the question is, shall we see dragons or dreams?

You may have your future mapped out. Good for you. I have some plans too, and I hope they work out. But beyond the plans and the hope, I remember the promise Jesus gave to his friends as he left them standing near Jerusalem: "I am with you always, to the end of the age."
It's that promise that tips the scale for me.
Here's to the New Year. May God bring blessing to you, peace in your home, and the vision to see dreams, not dragons in 2011.
Grace and peace,
Bill