Sometimes my dreams have a spiritual meaning.
I had a vivid dream a few nights ago. I was performing CPR on a young lady who had just died. Every time I did chest compression on her, her color returned and it appeared as though she might smile and start talking to me, or even get up. But whenever I stopped the CPR, she became lifeless again.
Here's my thoughts on the dream. The young woman appeared alive when there was some kind of external force applied, but she had no intrinsic life of her own. She was on life support. What about our work for the Kingdom? Does it have life of its own, or would it die if we stopped applying external pressure? Does it matter?
Any thoughts?
Back to lessons learned from the story of Rosa in the next post.
8 replies on “I had a dream the other night…”
Reading this made me think of a conversation I had this morning with a corporate training executive that had been part of the Executive Share Group that I founded a few years ago in Virginia. It seemed that the Lord was very much in the launching of a group to connect executives in the corporate training field that would meet on a quarterly basis for a full day. After 3 years of leading and facilitating the group, I came to the place where I had to go forward with my life and if the group (which they loved by the way)was going to have to “live” without me. They had to make the decision to breath and live (relating back to your dream). I couldn’t make that decision for them. If they hadn’t internalized the value of why they were meeting together, then the group would dissolve. and “die”. I think the Lord gives us a choice to live or die and His heart cry is that we would LIVE! But in the end, we have to fight to live and to live the life that He has called us to.
The executive share group is still meeting. Are they functioning as well with me not being there? No one in the group could say yes. In the end, members have to own the decision to “live” and move forward. I told them from the very beginning that it was “their group”. As much as I would like to see the group thrive, I can’t force them to take responsiblity to do the things that will keep them healthy.
I think this has application to any HC/OG/SC that is formed. The founders of any work must be delibertate in working themselves out of a job. I think the case can be made that this is exactly what Jesus did. However, we can see the value of leaders like Peter and Paul coming back to the churches that were started and providing ongoing support. My takeaway from that is that we need spiritual leaders, but we slso need to grow up. Furthermore, Jesus said that He would never leave us or forsake us and sent the Holy Spirit. Without connecting to the Source of Life, we cannot walk in the abundant life He provided for us and called us to. As a leader I believe my responsibiility is to connect people with Jesus and the riches of His life. Ultimately the goal of discipling is to help them connect with the source of all life, Jesus–and to receive from Him what they need to live.
Interesting dream, and good comments Mark.
If a person can’t live without external support, they are just one step away from death.
If a person can’t continue following Christ without others input then they don’t have a heart for Christ.
This dream makes me think of the effect programs have on the life of a community of believers. I’ve been part of many programs that had a limited life span. While the program was in operation there was life in the group. We enjoyed great times of fellowship together. But then the program came to an end, the video series was completed, or the yearly commitment to the group was over. What happened to most of the relationships that had been built? Most of them fizzled away, people moved on and made commitments with new programs the next season.
Sometimes I wonder if Christians know how to have relationships outside of programs. I’m a slow learner at this myself.
Milt Rodriguez and his wife, Mary, came and stayed with our group for three months and then they left (about a year ago). I think the leaving part, painful as it is, is as important as the being with part. And it’s important to leave BEFORE you become the “pastor” by virtue of simply being there. When we have questions, we always have a “go-to” person, but we need to hear from God on our own, go through our own struggles and growing pains, and learn to love one another without a mom or dad there to force us to play nice. 😉
I don’t think we are called to be independant in our walk with God but our aim should be to plant/water groups of people able to be God-sufficient. Its the same with my kids – my aim is not that they do what they are told but that they learn to make their own decisions.
I agree with Cindys Comment….we always have a “go-to” person, but we need to hear from God on our own, go through our own struggles and growing pains, and learn to love one another without a mom or dad there to force us to play nice. 😉
These are great thoughts, everyone.
We once started a simple church that formed from existing Christians. We had some awesome times together, and often God spoke very clearly to us, but every time Tony and I stopped providing the external impetus for what was going on, the life faded away. I would say it was like the woman in the dream. In the end, we let it die.
We’ve also stayed to long in a church and bred an unhealthy dependence. Mark, you are so right in your comments here.
I guess we need to be very sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is saying in any given situation.
Insightful comments about programs, Jon.
I wonder if anyone is still following these comments? I’m going to add something anyway!
It might be that we inadvertently create people who need life support by the things we say and do when we first meet them. I’ve been very impressed by Roy Godwin’s approach – he makes a deliberate choice to leave people to hear from the Source right at the outset so they will know where to go for help and guidance in the future. Wise man!
See http://jesus.scilla.org.uk/2011/12/pattern-of-blessing.html