Walking Away From Our Dreams Walking Away From Our Dreams Walking Away From Our Dreams

In the closing scene from the movie: Finding Forrester, starring Sean Connery, produced in the year 2000, Jamal, the young protégée heir of the author, William Forrester, reads an unexpected letter he received from his friend and mentor following his death. Forrester had lived for decades in seclusion in the same Brooklyn neighborhood housing projects as Jamal following the great success of Forrester's only published book, his first when much younger: Avalon Landing.

Young Jamal, who had been invited with a full scholarship to attend a prestigious New York prep school, inadvertently was befriended by the aging reclusive writer. A short but lasting affectionate bond developed between the young intelligent budding writer and the accomplished author.

After some time passed and learning of his friend and mentor's death during his return visit to his homeland of Scotland, Jamal became the sole heir of Forrester's fortunes and writings he had continued to produce though never publishing them. Among those treasures was a letter from Forrester to his young talented protégée and friend, Jamal.

The closing scene opens with Jamal sitting on the outdoor basketball court where Forrester often observed him from a window in his upper floor apartment adjacent to the court. Jamal is seen sitting in silent solitude clutching the letter in addition to the antique letter opener he once stole from Forrester that Forrester later gave him. Pulling the blade from its sheath, he sorrowfully opens the envelope, removing and unfolding the one page document. As he begins to silently read, the voice of Forrester fades in, narrating the letter to his friend: (Spoiler alert!)

Dear Jamal, Someone I once knew wrote that we walk away from our dreams afraid that we may fail, or, worse yet, afraid we may succeed. You need to know that while I knew so very early that you would realize your dreams, I never imagined I would once again realize my own. Seasons change, young man, and while I may have waited until the winter of my life, to see the things I've seen this past year, there is no doubt I would have waited too long, had it not been for you.

Within these short poignant words is found a major truth seen in Forrester's confession, and the possibility of redemption--a rediscovery of a love never lost but never realized as hoped:

"...we walk away from our dreams afraid that we may fail, or, worse yet, afraid we may succeed ...Seasons change, young man, and while I may have waited until the winter of my life, to see things I've seen this past year, there is no doubt I would have waited too long, had it not been for you."

"...we walk away from our dreams afraid that we may fail, or worse yet, afraid we may succeed..."

Fear--the enemy that fills the heart of one who sees the ends of the options of two paths before them. Paralyzing! Some choosing to remain in stasis, but forced by time to continue to move forward with their life, silently and ghostly past the mass of humanity throughout it. Few, only in passing, capture, as did Jamal, a stolen snapshot of their life. Never to see what it was or would have been. Known only to the one frozen in their world of fear of their would be success.

How tragic to have one's life unrealized. I submit, it is likely that the latter of the two options is more the case within such one--fear they may succeed. I personally must confess I too experienced this on unforgettable occasions. The fear of what I saw I didn't think I was equipped to handle caused me not to do.

In any case, in God's letter to us He has much to say about this. I leave you with this one instance--one in which its depths must fearlessly be explored and absorbed if its truths are to have purpose for you in life, Job 22:10-14,21. It's all right there but it requires faith!

1. 10. Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee;
2. 11. Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.
3. 12. Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
4. 13. And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
5. 14. Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.
6. 21. Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

It is the same message He spoke to Isaiah hundreds of years later. Regardless of your fear, He says, I have none! For I see it all. I am greater than anything seen or imagined that may be causing you to fear. Trust me and take my hand and I will lead you through your darkest hours. Only to have faith...

See also: My Never Again List.