“The Dream”
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Ps 73:26
I woke up today tired. Tigger, my kitty, was relentlessly chatting at me that it was mealtime. I heated up a cup of leftover coffee and slipped beneath the blanket on the couch. I put on Pandora, exhaled a long sigh and tried to drink in some praise.
I closed my eyes, and asked the Holy Spirit to come. I called on Jesus and the Heavenly Father to meet me. I needed them – all three – in One. I had thoughts about a devotion for the day but they were just rumblings. My head was in a fog and nothing felt quite right. I asked for something more. I asked for something real. “Lord”, I prayed, “I want to write about something deep.”
Immediately, I remembered the dream.
Last night I had a dream. I don’t know the time that the dream played out in my mind, but can tell you it returned to me clear as crystal.
Doors of a café opened. I entered and began to walk across the floor. At a distance I saw one of my longtime friends. He is a soulmate in the Lord. We have journeyed long and far. We have not talked in years but that means nothing. What we have experienced together, the bond is deeper than time and miles.
I saw people sitting at various tables. The tables and the people were gathered comfortably together with generous room between them. Chris rose from one of the tables to meet me. He had that typical smirky smile on his face. He looked down and opened his arms and brought around that huge hug just like old times.
We moved away from the others to a table of our own in the back. We began to catch up. It was as if no time had gone by. We fell right back into comfortable conversation just like we had been together the day before.
To my left, a young girl, around five years old joined us. She was playful and warm. It’s funny, but another word I would use to describe her was “genuine”. She had straight brown hair that hung to her shoulders. She wore a comfortable cotton dress and her face displayed surprising self-assurance. The comfort I felt as she approached was striking. It’s as if she belonged with us but I didn’t know who she was. I looked around wondering who she was with, but it was as if she was alone. She remained with us.
Chris began to tell me about some of the physical challenges he had faced recently. Someone else approached our table and he began to share with him as well. Our meal was served but I did not notice what food was on our plates. We then grabbed hands together to pray. The young girl moved around between us and our hands formed a circle. Holding her hand, I noticed a warmth and comfort. It felt like wearing a well-worn glove. There was no hesitation; it was as if she reached out for our hands first. It was as if we were surrounded by something wonderful and familiar, and sure.
The thought crossed my mind that maybe we shouldn’t be holding hands. Because of social distancing, maybe we should separate, but that concern immediately faded away. We bowed our heads and we gave God our thanks.
Wow! What does this dream mean? I’m not completely sure. Why was this dream given now? I don’t know.
I did not awake from sleep this morning aware of a eureka moment. In the moment, I was feeling fatigued. But then, from a place of weakness, God brought to my remembrance something deep. As the cobwebs cleared, I thought, “Could this have been a kind of glimpse of heaven?” What does heaven look like? I’m not sure. John certainly gives us an incredible glimpse of glory in the book of Revelation. What I do know is what I felt – warmth, comfort, friendship, food, love, concern, embrace, hands held in prayer. I felt the love of a child. I felt hands connected in unity. And right now, I can feel the tears run down my cheeks as I recall this moving moment.
There is so much we do not know. Jesus told his disciples during his final meal with them, “I have so much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:12) Could there be various pictures of heaven that are all woven in unity? People who have died and been given a glimpse of heaven, they recall the endless melodies of music yet they are all harmonious being played in unity. Whatever awaits us in heaven, the one thing we can be assured of – it all centers around Jesus Christ. All love, peace, feasting, prayer, honor and praise will gather around the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. For our God is Alive. He has Risen and He lives forever. AS WILL WE! Hallelujah!!
P.S. – That young girl who brought so much comfort? You might have already guessed. My hunch – Thank you Holy Spirit! Thank you for something deep! Continue to hold our hands!
I praise you, Lord, with all my heart! Indeed, it is another Holy Saturday!
God Bless You All!
Pastor Mark
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28