Dreams are funny things. Often we just think, “Well, that was strange” and move on with our lives. Dreams we remember are often worth “decoding.” Let me give you an example.
A few nights ago, I had a nightmare. I was competing on Food Network’s “Chopped”. Remember how odd it is that me, a non-foodie, loves to watch others master the skill on the fly.
It was the first course, the appetizer segment. I took lettuce, added other basket ingredients and put them in a blender. Then, I placed the entire chopped mess on a paper towel and started plating for the judges. As I pulled bunches of salad onto the plate, I noticed small bits of wet paper towel mingled throughout. Not just a few. More than I could pick out.
I panicked, remembering this was not home, but a televised competition. How could I face the nation with such a disaster? Then I noticed a lovely mango salad, precisely sliced and arranged on a bed of fresh greens. It didn’t appear to belong to anyone. Would I stoop to stealing? Mercifully, I woke up before I made the decision.
I noticed something about our river scene in Ezekiel 47. There was a man with Ezekiel. He measured the first segment of the river, then led the prophet through ankle-deep water. He measured again and brought Ezekiel through the knee-deep water. Again, he measured and led his friend through water reaching to his waist. When the water became so deep it could not be crossed, he stood and pointed out life all around that river. Life in the river, life outside the river, life wherever the river touched.
Back to my dream. Was I in deep water, far beyond my ability? Yes! But help was there. I just had to turn from my own miserable efforts and see it. Here’s my interpretation. Yes, the river is for us. He wants us to participate in the magnificent life of His river. We disqualify ourselves by our mistakes and freeze in fear. But there is help in this journey. Look for the Man. He isn’t far. He is as near as our cry. He is well able to help and doesn’t shame us when we fail.
What’s not to love about that? Joining you in the river, ready to swim!
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Thank you Laurel! Beautiful thoughts and very much appreciated.
Thanks, Jan! Loved seeing those mountain pics!