Did you know that oftentimes the idol in our lives is something that God has given us? God gives us gifts and we call that blessings, but what we do not know, or should I say - don't realize, is that the same gift can become more important than the One who gave it to us. If we are not careful, our gift (sometimes something that we have been praying And asking for) becomes an idol. As Mark Batterson in his book 'Soulprint' points out that "the blessing becomes a curse. Why? Because we find our identity and security in the gift instead of the Gift Giver" (p. 100)
Here is the thing, last night I had two dreams (dreaming in Paris!) and they were about the two things that represent the gifts or things that God has been blessing me with...this morning as I journaled about them I asked Him to help me discern what they meant and He revealed to me that they were warnings. Later, as I read the chapter that I quoted above, it was confirmed.
The first dream revealed the old ways of thinking I used to have in a particular area and the way it affected my decisions and the final outcome...I woke up and I was troubled because I did not know what it meant and in my dream the outcome was disappointing, leaving me in tears. I even started to pray when I woke up, asking for clarity in that area of my life and whether I should continue on that path...I got a glimpse of something good being destroyed by worldly standards...in my dream the decisions made were based on the desires of the flesh and even in my dream I was aware of the implications, which is why I wanted to cry...it was not worth it...the gift was tainted because it was outside of the will of God. This revelation through my dream was a warning reminding me of what my flesh is capable of and what it could cost me. In a way that only He can, He revealed to me that there is nothing that He would not do for me - His daughter :) that He longs to give me good things...and also because He loves me He warns me so that the enemy would not snatch those gifts away.
See, when we operate within God's jurisdiction it is illegal for Satan to snatch our blessings away. However, when we step outside of His boundaries we leave ourselves open for destruction and it is all our choice...this is why knowing what the Lord wants for us is so important, that way we can make informative choices and not step out in the dark...
So, this was divine warning...and a reminder that He is always the one to be worshipped and praised. We should never forget that our life and everything in it is a gift from God.
In my second dream, similarly, my nature was revealed to me and how that may affect another important area of my life...the ministry that He has called me to...I was being reminded that it is His ministry and not mine...and that it too can become an idol if I make it about my control over it. I realized that no matter what I want I care more about what He wants and that meant following David's example when He danced before the Lord in his undergarments in front of all the people at a huge celebration as He brought the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem...strange behavior, right? Well, disrobing symbolized his naked humility before God instead of seeking security in the royal robes...I too am challenged to seek Him as I drop the familiar to me acts of always having the answer and being a servant as He teaches me how to lead; to step back and let others lead as He continues to rise up leaders!
I just love walking with You on the streets of Paris! The ultimate romance...
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