Easter morning I dreamed that I was living in a shelter,
among a mix of families, on an upper floor. I sat on a large swivel chair
comforting little children on my lap while their parents were grieving on the
staircase. People were coming and going
and it seemed there was going to be an event starting but nobody had plans. Everyone
was just waiting around with forlorn expressions, as though they were helpless.
While I was trying to entertain the children, I overheard
that their mother wanted a DVD player for them. I got up and went to the stairs
to my upstairs room and there was a big box with my name on it. When I opened
it up, there was a brand new DVD player. “Oh! It already came!” I said, and
brought it down for the kids.
Then I had a dream, within the dream. Strange how that
happens, but then I was stranded on an island. It wasn’t a deserted island
because there was a dock and a small marina before me and there were big houses
behind me. One I particularly was aware of although covered in shadows, was the
kind of house I would have loved under ordinary circumstances, with a large wrap around porch lined with
Adirondack chairs. But I was in trouble and alone, hiding in the dark. I searched
for a vessel to steal so I could escape, but all I could find was a very small raft. When I tried it, it started to sink. How could I make it across the water
to safety on the other side? I groaned in despair.
Somehow that dream ended and I was back indoors, looking out
of a large window that gave me a lovely broad view of the sky.
I watched as a beautiful current of cloud floated by. It was
moving fast and strong, yet slow enough that I could study some of the tiniest
details in the swirls. I realized that there were lovely silvery birds enfolded
in the cloud. They were tucked within its movement, and resting in its power.
They didn’t even need to flap their wings. So beautiful to watch, that silvery
picture of elegance made me long to join them and go where they were going.
As they passed, I noticed
other birds fluttering beneath them. These flapped their wings beneath the
cloud but were either unwilling or unaware of its ability to help them. They wanted to
travel in the same direction, but they were fighting against it, resisting the
current. They made me feel awful and I pitied them, wondering how long they
would be able to continue. Their meager efforts weren’t going
to get them very far, since their tiny wings weren’t made for the distance they
hoped to go.
Then I realized I was back in the shelter with the children
and the grieving families and it hit me. “Oh! These dreams are for them!” And I
woke up.
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It's amazing how God weaves the passion of his heart through ours.
Yes, he uses dreams and imparts truth to our souls in diverse ways. (Job 33:14-18) For me, whether trying to comfort children, feeling their despair, searching for a way of escape, or watching the current from the sidelines, it is the same story.
It is God's heart breaking for humanity. HE longs to comfort. HE feels our pain. HE is watching like so many little birds who don't know there's a current that can carry them!
Consistently throughout Scripture and in all his workings, God's heart is for people!
He is the calling God! He wants to warn us! Come to me all you who labor and are weary and I will give you rest for your souls!
Some have entered into his rest and are being carried by his
grace. But many are still struggling on their own. They resist entering the current of his
love and truth for whatever reason... a lack of understanding, a lack of self-worthiness, a lack of trust?
What will it take for people to receive the great invitation?
The good shepherd wants to lift our burdens and comfort us as little children.
Just as I saw the birds beneath the current, mankind struggles in futility but will not achieve the end they hope for in their own strength.
Life is passing! We must look up, beyond the hopelessness of our circumstances. God is able to provide
all that we need. He has the perfect answers we
seek. He has already sent it in the person of His Son.
This is the message of Easter.
When we feel stuck He knows the way. When we feel stranded
or alone He is there. But we have a
broken relationship with God until our offenses are paid for.
When Jesus was crucified on the cross of Calvary, He paid
the penalty in full, for all mankind, finished! But the only way to get that
gift is to receive it.
Maybe you've heard this a hundred times before but have never actually asked God to forgive you and guide you into the truth. Who are you trusting right now? Yourself, or God?
How you answer will determine the rest of the story of your life.