Wakeup call to personal truth. Have you ever had a night dream that would not leave your thoughts even after many days had passed? Did you think it was significant in any way? Or did you just forget it. It didn’t mean anything. Why ponder it when something didn’t make sense? Does God give meanings from dreams? The truth is God can and sometimes speaks in a dream. Wakeup to personal truth about our importance.
A few nights ago, I had a dream. Actually, it was a nightmare. I was in a high school classroom as a substitute teacher after I had already retired. That was ten years ago, and haven’t thought about going back, except perhaps on a whim during this pandemic when the government put out calls for teachers to come out of retirement. So where did this dream come from?
Perhaps God was speaking to me about some hidden issue when he had my attention during peaceful sleep. I should consider it since it was a few days ago, and hasn’t left my memory, even when I didn’t write it down. Perhaps there’s a lesson to learn.
I dreamed I was standing or sitting, not quite sure which one, in front of the classroom while students were writing an exam. I was supervising and observing. But after a while some students handed in the paper without writing anything. Others seemed to struggle with the content. A few tried to walk out the back door which leads to a teachers’ office. Others crowded at front door. Some still writing. Others talking among themselves. I stood at the front door not allowing anyone to leave until everyone had handed in their papers.
My dilemma
Why did the students react that way? It seemed like they didn’t know the answers, and had written very little or nothing at all. Had their teacher not taught to the curriculum, or had the students not studied? A combination of things could happen during the semester, such as missing too many classes (pandemic reality), or the material being too difficult for the grade level, etc. But none of that made sense.
Nobody said anything. Suddenly, I realized I had given them my own exam that I had prepared! Being, that I did not even know the subject the class had studied, it was ludicrous. Absent of any interpretation of this crazy dream, I am appalled at my own stupidity! How could I think so highly of myself that I can walk into someone else’s classroom and take over providing my own testing materials without consulting the teacher.
Wakeup to thoughts about self worth, and the meaning of the dream. A dream visual can help us to see areas of our lives where we need growth. Are we willing to see the truth? In life I would never do such a thing, but it stopped me enough to see that we Christians need more revelation about our prideful heart. We can act humble but God sees the hidden things of the heart. Changing our behaviours for a day or two is not what brings continued spiritual growth, it’s facing the truth every day. Lord, what areas of my heart would you have me deal with today?
God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV
God answered. “Who did you think you are!” Few reasons why I would do such a thing. Too afraid to ask for clarification? I can figure it out on my own. My ways are better. Relying on my own understanding. A wakeup call for me.
Prayer to reduce prejudices
If we’re not careful, we can easily fall into the enemy’s trap of thinking we are better than others. Prejudice has been in the media more than any other time in history. Actions and words hurt others. But God’s love extends to all humans. Therefore, let us watch and pray that we may not be led into negative thoughts about others because every person is important to God, and should be to us.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV
Even if we don’t have spiritual interpretation to dreams, we could think about it. We don’t live by dreams but they could be a warning, direction for relationships, spiritual growth, or a whole host of things. We long to know deep things. Faith, hope and love. And longings of the heart are there for a purpose. As we seek God through his Word, he gives us a security in our soul that anchors us. He doesn’t condemn us but forgives us for our mistakes.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:9-10 NIV
Dreams How Can A Dream Matter? Nightmares could bring on fear or questions. My classroom experience dream could mean something or nothing, but I felt no fear or anger in the dream. I just questioned my own reaction. Why did I do such a ridiculous thing, especially when I’ve been a teacher for decades and had substitute teachers to whom I made clear instructions of what to do? God has a sense of humour to put me into the classroom once again! Purpose. To write.
Have you had significant dreams? Or are you like a lot of people who say they never dream? The Bible tells us that in the last days old men (women) will dream dreams. (Acts 2:17)