I don’t usually remember dreams, but this was vivid – however, it was not scary – and I remembered it when I woke up. I asked the Lord, “What was that all about?” He replied, “That man was not where he was supposed to be.“
I thought it unusual, and made a mental note and journaled it for later reference.
I wonder how many of us are blindsided by the enemy because we are not where we are supposed to be?When I shared the dream with my wife, she shared this scripture with me. I totally believe the dream is this verse in pictures:
Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) ” There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
The man in my dream thought getting out of his “perceived danger” (a stormy, dark, rainy night) in a more immediate timeframe would be prudent, safe, and more comfortable. In the end, it led to his death.
Brief topic change, but hang with me… I’ll tie it together in a minute.
Today, I had a conference call where my boss announced (surprisingly) he is taking a new position within our company. This meant he would not be my boss any longer. This left me very uneasy and nervous. I have half a dozen “understandings” with my boss (who I like very much) that are not documented for a new boss to know or understand when he comes in. These understandings are all significant as they relate to my compensation, territory, and employment. I felt very exposed and anxious.
God is so gracious. Once I realized how I felt inside, Papa gently reminded me that He alone is my provision and He alone is my total joy and my total hope. I realized that I had put some of my joy in my job and now that my job had the potential to change, potentially for the worse, some of my joy was taken. I felt a little bit hopeless.
Father, forgive me! I am in sin in putting an idol before you. I have taken my eyes off You and put them on me. You and You alone are my provision, not Amdocs – my employer, not AT&T – my customer, but You – my Father – and only You. Forgive my arrogance and pride of putting me above you. Forgive my idolatry. Amen.
Romans 5:3b-4 says that as we take joy in our suffering, we develop perseverance (patience) and with perseverance comes character. Character, as I understand it, is Christ-likeness. With Character comes HOPE. My sufferings, lead to my HOPE – when and only when I embrace them along my journey of transformation. When I let some of my hope be taken by the news of my boss leaving and what might happen to me, Father showed me that I was responding to my suffering inappropriately.
I do not want to be blindsided by my enemy because I am not where I am supposed to be. I want to be right in the middle of God’s will… right where he wants me.
Father, I will wait for You. I will not run ahead of you. I will stand in the storm, in the dark, in the rain, in the wind, in my discomfort, to wait for YOU. I want to be where I am supposed to be. I want to be in the middle of your will, wherever that takes me. I don’t ever want to be out of your presence. Consecrate me for your service, Lord, and set me apart for your will. I want all of what You have for me. I am desperate for ALL of You! Amen.
Running After Papa, in submission to Him…
Timely for me! I have been growing restlesss about a potential new job promotion that I have been interviewing for and the process is dragging on and on…I want to be right where my father wants me to be..even if I am uncomfortable..He is watching over me to protect and guard me..I want to be where i am SUPPOSED to be..
Promotion comes from the Lord and not man..