Nothing much happens without a dream “Time loses its energy, meaning, and power unless it moves us toward our dreams. Taking the time to listen to our wishes, dreams, and fantasies opens up our unique genius, talents, and reasons for being. It's very easy to get "too busy" for dreams, and when we do, a very special part of us dies. Nothing much happens without a dream. For something really great to happen, it takes a great dream.†Robert Greenleaf ‘One of the most important works of twentieth-century American literature, Zora Neal Hurston’s beloved 1937 classic, Their Eyes Were Watching God, is an enduring Southern love story sparkling with wit, beauty, and heartfelt wisdom. Told in the captivating voice, it is about a woman who refuses to let sorrow, bitterness, fear, or foolish dreams prevent her self evolving development. Her life was also marked by poverty, trials, and purpose. After reading Ms. Hurston's novel, I was puzzled as to why she named the book, Their Eyes Were Watching God. After reading further, it appeared to me that it was about fulfilling or expressing your God given gifts. It is truly a literary masterpiece. Her imagery is simply beautiful. Many say that her accounts of black heritage remain unparalleled today; yet, she died poor and was buried in an unmark grave. From Darwin Turner's early and scathing criticisms of her work to Hemingway’s balanced praise and Alice Walker's enthusiasm, Zora Neale Hurston has been the subject of intense critical attention since her "re-discovery" in the late 'sixties. The most prolific African-American woman writer of her time or earlier, the power of her imagery and the richness of the culture which she brings to life through her writings have found her enthusiastic new audiences in recent years. Hurston herself was unable to make a living from her writings and worked as a teacher, a librarian and a domestic in order to earn her livelihood. She spent her later years in Florida, continuing to write articles which were published in various local and national venues and three additional novels which were rejected for publication. Her death in 1960 in a welfare home went largely unnoticed by the world and she was buried in an unmarked grave. In 1973, during a time when Hurston's eminence was finally being recognized, Alice Walker placed a marker in the field where Hurston lay,’ Their Eyes Were Watching God. Viktor Frankl, a Jewish psychiatrist, discovered during his four-year imprisonment in a Nazi concentration camp that of the prisoners who escaped the gas chambers, those who had a life purpose (or dream) were far more likely to survive. Those who didn't died. Bernie Siegel, a surgeon and teacher at Yale Medical School and oncologist Carl Simonton also report that having a meaningful purpose is a primary factor for patients who successfully recover from cancer. Our scripture lesson explores another great woman that experienced poverty and wealth letting neither diverts her from the mission. Esther was a very beautiful woman, but her virtue was not only her beauty. Her virtue was sacrifice. Zora and Esther share qualities that are very strong and common between them. These women developed their talents into great strengths in their lives. Esther’s greatness is based on her willingness to sacrifice. Esther was willing to put everything she ever had including her life at stake for a higher cause. Esther was a poor Jewish girl who became Queen of Persia. But she was willing to risk all of this to save her people. Esther appears in the Bible as a woman of deep faith, courage, and patriotism, ultimately willing to risk her life for her adoptive father, Mordecai, and the Jewish people. That she was raised up as an instrument in the hand of God to avert the destruction of the Jewish people, and to afford them protection and forward their wealth and peace in their captivity, is manifest from the Scripture account. Zora was a queen in her on right, because of the God given talent that was given her. She also was a beautiful girl with a lot of courage. She scarified prosperity to peruse her writing career and articulate the Black Culture through her works. Today, she is recognized all over the world. She died poor, but her sacrifice and work has touched many and made the world richer and a better place to live. Yet, today, the economic goal of many and corporations has been profit. This has been challenged in a most peculiar way. On the one hand, an economic system based on a single-minded focus on profit is challenged by, of all things, schools of thought, in favor of “corporate social responsibility.†This concept suggests that companies and the rich should invest back in mankind and society. Even corporations have realized that the pursuit of profit alone can not make this world a better or kinder place. The Harlem Renaissance represents a period in American History when many talented Black writers; poets, musicians could not peruse profitable careers and business ventures, but they still expressed themselves through the arts. How much are you willing to risk pursuing your calling? You know within your heart and soul that God has called you to do something special with your life, but for what ever the reason it has not been done. I don’t know what it is__ but you know. It could be a promise you made to God many years ago or a natural gift that has not been developed. I have good news for you, it is not too late. It was very important for me to graduate from college. My grandfather hoped to see his first grandson achieve this goal. Regardless of how difficult like got for me as a young man, I would always thinks about my grandfather’s desire for me to complete this goal. Fortunately, he was able to see me achieve this goal three months before he passed. Without an inspiring dream, life loses its zest. Whether your dream is taking an unforgettable journey to Europe or moving to Paris, start your own church: Hold your dreams in your mind and heart and enjoy a renewed spirit and energy they will bring to you. "Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken winged bird that cannot fly." -Langston Hughes Esco Yancey,Jr.,Ed.D.(ACSI) © 2007 GOSPEL TIMES MINISTRIES
