What Dreams May Come

I had a vision. I was strolling calmly down the Main Street of Abilene, Texas, watching people smile and drop into art museums, laugh freely, amiably say toss a "hello" to friends... All the while I smiled at the sweet community gathering and wondered what ArtWalk had in store for me. I sauntered by a semi-circle of fading lawn chairs occupied by 4 or 5 people. Curious, I wondered why they had set up camp on the curb. I felt as though they, too, should be happily milling about to enjoy the balmy evening like the rest of us. A friend’s question woke me from my daze. “Melissa, do you want to have a dream interpreted?” Dazed a bit from my own little daydream, I realized that the mystery of the chairs had been answered. They were dream interpreters. I had never had a dream interpreted before. I instantly felt self-conscious. The only dreams I could remember at that very moment seemed rather silly and embarrassing. The people were there to interpret dreams from a Christian viewpoint and pray for the dreamers. I declined. That was 9 months ago, but that very same scene played out in my head yesterday afternoon. I wondered what dream I should have had them interpret…

A few nights ago, a friend from Abilene asked me to pray fervently, fearing a demon in his house causing restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety. A demon. The words sent chills down my spine. And he was asking ME to pray for this demon to be cast out? Was I worthy? Was I up to the task? Who was I to do such a deed?

And then last night, 8 hours after I my vision, this same friend popped up on Facebook. “Awesome,” I thought, “I can find out if the demon is gone!” His first words caused me to freeze in my tracks. “I saw a dream interpreter today…at ArtWalk”. He proceeded to tell me about a dream. He was in a large room with a group of people. He could see out the window into a field. Suddenly, a tornado appeared, about to destroy everyone. He knew the glass would shatter; everyone would die. But he was terrified and woke up, never knowing the ending of the dream. The interpretation: It was a sign from God. He has the gift of prophesy. Now, he must to overcome his fear of the future and allow himself to see what God has in store. The reality: He has had visions and words for people before. Three visions made a girl cry and say, “That meant more to me than you could ever imagine.” Another was two numbers: 3 and 7. The man for whom it was meant had 3 sons, one of whom has been gone for 7 years.

Wow. It blew me away. The irony. The timing. The synchronization of a thought and event between two people in two different states. That I can attribute stories like that to knowing God. It was not just happenstance. It could only be the Holy Spirit. Lately I have been more and more spiritually aware. Aware of darkness. Of light. Of evil. Of the Holy Spirit. So, why should I be surprised when my vision and his interpretation occurred at the same time? There IS a Spiritual component to my faith. Just like the wind, I can’t see it, but I feel it and know it’s there. There’s another dimension outside of my ability to see, hear, taste, smell, and touch. I can’t see spiritual warfare going on; I can feel it.

God communicates in many ways: through other people, through dreams, through the Holy Spirit. I am opening myself up to listening to God any time, anywhere, any way. Romans 12: 3-8 talks about the Body and gifts. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith…If it is encouraging, let him encourage…” And that is what God used me for in this story—to encourage.

John Piper says that a spiritual gift is “an ability given by the Holy Spirit to express our faith effectively (in word or deed) for the strengthening of someone else's faith.” That’s exactly what my vision did for my friend. It strengthened his faith. It shows him the need to listen more carefully to God. Be ready for change. Be aware of God nudging his heart.

For the last year, I have felt God nudging my heart. I have a vague vision of setting my town on fire for God and to be the hands of hope, healing, and restoration to hurting children worldwide. But how? Where? I am just one tiny speck of dust in the scheme of things, aren’t I? But the last month, I have sensed a breakthrough. I have a hunger for His Word. I feel a burning passion within me to know God more fully. And this dream—this vision—has only added fuel to the fire.

As Britt Nicole sings:
“I wanna set the world on fire
Until it's burning bright for you
It's everything that I desire
Can I be the one you use?

I, I am small but
You, You are big enough
I, I am weak but
You, You are strong enough to

Take my dreams
Come and give them wings
Lord with you
There's nothing I cannot do

I wanna feed the hungry children
And reach across the farthest land
And tell the broken there is healing
And mercy in the father's hands”
I am the one He can use. God is big enough.
I anxiously look forward to what dreams may come…