I have an active night life— with Jesus. Wink. Sometimes it is dreams, sometimes it is songs or pictures. Literally some mornings I wake up and I know there has been a spiritual transaction in my spirit. I am just different. Other times, I wake up and have to take immediate action. This recent dream was one of the latter.
In my dream, I was in this large convention hall where hundreds of people gathered at round tables, talking quietly. There were large doors on one wall behind me and I could hear distant voices and commotion in the hallway. Several of us heard brutal instructions barked out. We looked at each other in shock. They intended to load us all in trucks for future harm.
Some of the people who heard the same message began to cry. I asked the Lord, what can I do here in this moment? He said, “Give what you have.”
I made my way to tables near me and put my hand on each person’s back and said, “Peace to you.” They had no idea what was coming. They smiled and thanked me. I sensed the witness of Jesus in each person I touched.
I circled tables and touched people moving further from the doors. Then the doors flung open and soldiers shouted demands for people to line up and move into trucks.
People at the table where I stood looked at me. I spoke to the closest woman, “peace to you in the name of Jesus.” It was as if everyone understood in a moment what was happening. So she began telling me her God story. The next person did the same. The next person and the next. As they gathered people into the vehicles, everyone told stories of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
In a flash of panic, I thought, where is MY family? I need to tell my family I love them. The Lord said, “Oh they know you do. You love Me by doing this. I am holding your family.”
As I scanned the room, the Lord revealed that everyone in the room was a believer. We had been gathered under false pretenses, but for the intent purpose of destroying us. Yet here we were releasing testimony of the beauty of God.
Then I woke up.
I am still meditating on this dream but here’s what I have so far.
- What am I storing up in my heart that I could give in a moment’s notice?
In the dream I gave away peace. I have growing to do with the Lord that I might have enough peace, or anything else, to give away.
2. In the moment of greatest trial, the goodness of God is our greatest weapon.
We must learn how to bless the Lord in every season. Do we carry the same faith in trials that we say we do in seasons of ease? Frankly, you don’t need faith if you have everything you want, when you want it, how you want it. Trials grow spiritual muscles.
3. The big picture of opposition against believers is a real thing.
I recall when Joshua asked the Angel, are you for us or for them? And the Angel replied, Neither. (Joshua 5:14) You can be sure that there are dividing lines with evil intent. Do not be swayed by them or join them.
We stand with the Lord our God. We are His children intent on one purpose: to love and glorify God on the earth today. Regardless of nation, politics, program or denomination, we belong to Him. And we lay down our lives out of love for Him. That includes our possessions, plans, and preferences. Why?
The goodness of God is revealed through us. No matter the cost.