We all have dreams. Dreams for ourselves and, if you are a parent, dreams for our children.

From the moment my children were born, my wheels started turning.

Who will they hang out with? What colleges will they attend? What about their careers? What kind of girl will they marry?

Every now and then, God gives us a glimpse of His plans for them…just a little impression to help us guide them.

In Luke chapter 1, Zachariah is given more than a little impression. He is given a prophetic message from the angel Gabriel.

Zachariah was in the middle of performing his priestly duties when He sees Gabriel standing by the right side of the altar. Gabriel informs Zachariah that his wife, Elizabeth, will soon bear him a son.

“You are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and a delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.” (Luke 1:13-15)

What an amazing promise for such a long awaited child. I wonder what went through Zachariah and Elizabeth’s mind.

I bet they couldn’t wait to see how their son’s life would unfold. It’s not every day you get a visit from an angel. Their son must be destined for greatness.

Years pass, life happens.

John is older. He’s a little eccentric. He prefers hanging out in the desert. His hair is a bit unkept.

On the plus side, He is an evangelist, but not a very polished one. He tells it like it is. And he is now imprisoned for being a little too honest and sharing his views with Herod about his new girl.

If I were Zachariah or Elizabeth, I might have been wondering….What happened? Did something go wrong? Did I do something wrong? Lord, what about all that joy and delight the angel promised us?

But Jesus words affirm John.

While John was in prison, Jesus told the crowd, “Among those born of women there has not yet risen one greater than John the Baptist.”

So maybe God has given you some promises concerning your children. Maybe He has given you some promises concerning yourself.

And maybe what you are staring at today looks nothing like what you imagined.

That’s okay. Don’t be discouraged.

Keep praying, but keep in mind, God’s idea of greatness may look different than our idea of greatness.

– Binu