being chased

[mqf]

God has spoken to me through dreams off and on since the day I was saved. In fact it was through dreams that He revealed himself to me and brought me to repentance and acceptance of Christ in my life. I'm always curious about the meanings of things and am fascinated that a christian forum would attempt to interpret dreams and visions. Most of what the Lord shows me through dreams, I am aware of their meaning the moment I awake. Only once was I in the dark to it's meaning but over time, I have come to understand most of it. I have had one particular dream which has gripped my heart and I am curious to see how it is perceived by those here. So here it is.

I find myself standing in an open field with rolling hills. It's the most beautiful and peaceful scene I had ever imagined. As I am looking about, taking in the view, I notice off in the distance a lion. Suddenly I am struck with a fear. Fear that if he sees me, I may be his next meal. I slowly start to move away from him hoping he doesn't notice, but he does. I see him moving towards me so I start running. In full panic I am running with all the strength I can find. I look over my shoulder to see where the lion might be and I see him running towards me. Now I know I am in trouble. I keep running and each time I look back, the lion is getting closer. Up ahead of me I see a small boy just standing there, so I run towards him. As I get there I scoop up the boy in my arms and hurl him towards the lion as if to say "here, have him instead of me" and I keep running. I look back and I see the lion run past the boy. The lion glances at the boy as he runs past him but his intention seems fixed on me. Up ahead of me I see a forest of trees and think I might be able to lose the lion in there, but each time I look back, the lion is getting closer. As I reach the edge of the forest I have to jump a small stream but I trip and fall headlong into the embankment on the other side. Suddenly I feel the weight of the lion on my back, pinning me down. I cover my head with my arms to protect my face and wait to be eaten. The lion sticks his nose in the inside bend of my left elbow and pulls my arm away from my face then he licks my face and steps off me. I wait and nothing happens. As I lift my head to see what's going on, I see the lion laying in an almost sitting position on the ground just above my head. He had an expression on his face of extreme satisfaction. He had caught his prey and all he wanted to do was spend time with me. I was no longer afraid but now in wonderment and wanted to be with this lion as well.

The dream is true and I would like to hear your take on this.

 

[Clay Vessel]

I would say that the Lion of Judah has pursued you from the time you were a child and that when you stopped running, you found that rather than being a threat to your life, He was your Friend. You found that He wanted to be with you and as a result, you desire to be with Him. He is like that.

 

[paul1149]

I believe there is only one lion in Scripture, as Clay Vessel said, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. There is a counterfeit, however, who prowls about as a roaring lion. The question is which one this lion represents. It is clear that the Lord Jesus was pursuing you relentlessly. What a delight to be overtaken and captured! "Let the bones Thou hast broken rejoice!"

I believe the boy represents superficial or immature worship. Your initial reaction seems to have been less than full, diligent commitment. That's not going to cut it with the King of kings; He requires the whole man.

As an aside, periodically we are assailed here by those who declaim any value to dreams and visions. And yet here is a walking case of a person whom dreams played an instrumental role in bringing to the Lord. And this is happening in scores of Muslims every day. Judge the fruit.

Blessings,
Paul

 

[mqf]

Thanks. I don't declaim the value of dreams or visions for I have had both. More dreams than visions and I know when some are of the Lord and others are just dreams. I would just want to be careful not to elevate dreams or visions above the written word of God. The enemy can bring us dreams as well and without a check and balance we could be misled.

The child in my dream I also saw as a part of myself. You called it superficial or immature worship. I viewed it as all the "things" I do as a christian. For example my time, my talents, my offerings rather than just me. This is still a struggle with me but the Lord is working with me to face the wounds that cause me to run. and when we run, sooner or later we are going to fall and when we do, He's always there to catch us.

 

[paul1149]

I've had many a time when the Lord seemed to come in a fearsome manner, but when He finally showed up His presence calmed me down. The Psalms speak of the mountains melting at His approach, and even in the NT He often had to speak peace to frightened disciples when He showed up after His resurrection. So this is a natural dynamic that we're up against. It's good to reassure ourselves of His love though, because He always brings healing in His wings. Blessings.

 

[Clay Vessel]

I don't think that God views anything that you do in service to Him as "immature or superficial." I think He bends low and rejoices at your efforts to serve Him. I'd like to share a something that happened to me a number of years ago.

I had come from the large city where I lived to a very small town to visit my parents and on a particular Sunday morning, I went to church with them. It was a little, country church with none of the polish my own church had, but the people were friendly and they loved the Lord.

Just before the pastor's sermon, he happily announced that "Jane Doe" was going to sing a special song for us before he preached. He beamed as he gave the microphone to Jane. She stood, visibly shaking, as the taped music started the introduction, then began her song with a trembling voice. She started out flat, then sang a sharp note or two, missed a word, and her timing got messed up. Her face turned scarlet as she bravely struggled to finish her song.

I looked around the congregation and many of the people were smiling encouragingly at Jane. A few were silently cringing. Suddenly, I had an idea!

"Lord," I whispered. "Please let me hear what YOU hear!"

Across the auditorium came crystal notes of purest praise! Beautiful music filled the air! Heavenly sounds! It continued until Jane handed the microphone back to the pastor and took her seat. The Lord was hearing her heart! What a privilege that He allowed me to hear it, too!

The Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy with these words, "Say not, 'I am a child..." So, let me say to you, mqf, you are no longer a child and the things you do for God delight Him. Keep it up!

 

[SoapnWater]

The Lion is Jesus. This means that you need to stop trying to please God, and just let your sin flow out. Whatever you think, stick to it. Whatever your going to do, stick to it. In all things, do what you think. Don't listen to the Heart, listen to the mind. The Mind is ready to be before God, but you fear the sin of your mind.
What is evil in your mind is not your own thoughts, its the devil. Don't take responsibility for evil thoughts. Thats the trick. Everything you think is good, its ready to be before God. But everything the devil has you think you take responsibility for. So thence, your thoughts are not ready to be before God.

 

[mqf]

The Lord corrected me once about my singing as well. I had seen myself in a dream carrying a guitar and afterwards I remarked to someone that I don't play any musical instruments and in fact I was a lousy singer. The moment I said this I heard the Lord speak and say He didn't think I was a lousy singer. I may never sing on stage but my heart felt worship is beautiful to the Lord.

There are times when I feel the presence of the Lord near and instead of opening the door and inviting Him in and just taking time to spend with Him, I find other "things" to do. Like Martha, so busy with the things of this world. I'm running away and only giving him small parts of me. I pray I get this right before I leave this world

 

[Clay Vessel]

I'm sorry, Soapnwater, but you have some erroneous theology! ""Just let your sin flow out?" Come on! "Stop trying to please God?" Scripture says that the very reason God created us was to bring pleasure to Him. If we are not trying to please Him, where is His pleasure?

"In all things, do what you think?" Do you know how many people have messed up their lives because they just did what they thought, without checking to see what God thought they ought to do? I am sorry, but your advice is the road to disaster. We are not challenged by scripture to live through our minds. We are challenged to walk in the Spirit and to know God through our spirits, not just our minds.

We are not inherently righteous so that every thought we have is a good, perfect thought. Scripture says that "the soul of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can fathom it?" So, how could we stand before a righteous God without the cleansing, purifying blood of Jesus to wash our sins and purify our thoughts?

I agree, we need to cast down evil imaginations and thoughts that the devil might put in our minds, but to blame the devil for every thought that is not good and to not take any responsibility for entertaining an evil thought is a cop-out.

I think you would do well to study the Bible and learn Truth and see what is required of us as Christians. I don't fear sin. I love God and my love for Him causes me to desire to please Him in everything I do, say, and think.

To mqf: I have been in your shoes, doing the Martha thing, too busy to bask in His presence. He desires to be with you. Praise brings His presence and in His presence is fullness of joy. In the midst of your busy-ness, sing praises to Him. Practice praise. It changed my life.

 

[MastersPiece]

Didn't read thru all of the replies but I see ClayVessel and Paul have a good handle on your interpretation..
God bless you

 

[humblewatchman]

Hello mqf;

You said "The enemy can bring us dreams as well and without a check and balance we could be misled. This is true.

The child in my dream I also saw as a part of myself. You called it superficial or immature worship. I viewed it as all the "things" I do as a christian. ..and the dreamer knows deep down what the things in their dreams do mean. Your interp seems fitting. But, I have a small question...why do you think your works was in the form of a young little boy...is it because your works are just a "small" part of your realtionship with Him? What about the youth aspect? Sometimes younger means less experienced in dreams. There may be more to this, still. I think Paul bringing up the less mature idea may have some fruit that you may want to re-think and re-pray over. If there is more, you will know as you pray over this aspect.

For example my time, my talents, my offerings rather than just me. This is still a struggle with me but the Lord is working with me to face the wounds that cause me to run. and when we run, sooner or later we are going to fall and when we do, He's always there to catch us...and lick our faces (kisses of a Lion) How can we resist His desire for us to be with Him..

I am glad to hear you are frequently so very good at interpreting your own dreams, maybe you have a gift and could lend a hand on the forum too (if you haven't already).
.

 

[MastersPiece]

I don't think that God views anything that you do in service to Him as "immature or superficial." I think He bends low and rejoices at your efforts to serve Him. I'd like to share a something that happened to me a number of years ago.

I had come from the large city where I lived to a very small town to visit my parents and on a particular Sunday morning, I went to church with them. It was a little, country church with none of the polish my own church had, but the people were friendly and they loved the Lord.

Just before the pastor's sermon, he happily announced that "Jane Doe" was going to sing a special song for us before he preached. He beamed as he gave the microphone to Jane. She stood, visibly shaking, as the taped music started the introduction, then began her song with a trembling voice. She started out flat, then sang a sharp note or two, missed a word, and her timing got messed up. Her face turned scarlet as she bravely struggled to finish her song.

I looked around the congregation and many of the people were smiling encouragingly at Jane. A few were silently cringing. Suddenly, I had an idea!

"Lord," I whispered. "Please let me hear what YOU hear!"

Across the auditorium came crystal notes of purest praise! Beautiful music filled the air! Heavenly sounds! It continued until Jane handed the microphone back to the pastor and took her seat. The Lord was hearing her heart! What a privilege that He allowed me to hear it, too!

The Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy with these words, "Say not, 'I am a child..." So, let me say to you, mqf, you are no longer a child and the things you do for God delight Him. Keep it up!

Thanks for your message on my visitors page precious woman of God.. just reading thru some of your posts now.. THAT IS GLORIOUS! Please, you need to share that testimony on this thread, just copy & paste it in - That sort of story will touch many: http://www.christianforums.com/t7726899/

 

[mqf]

But, I have a small question...why do you think your works was in the form of a young little boy...is it because your works are just a "small" part of your realtionship with Him? What about the youth aspect? Sometimes younger means less experienced in dreams. There may be more to this, still. I think Paul bringing up the less mature idea may have some fruit that you may want to re-think and re-pray over. If there is more, you will know as you pray over this aspect.

I appreciate your insight here. I will pray about this.

 

[humblewatchman]

...and I will join in with you to stand beside you in prayer.

 

[humblewatchman]

I came across this scripture tonight;

Deuteronomy 28:2

all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the Lord your God:

 

[mqf]

I awoke with the chorus of the song "Chasing after me" by Jon Bauer running through my head

Cause your love is chasing after me
It's chasing after me
There's nowhere I could ever hide
Cause you keep coming
Your love is chasing after me
It's chasing after me
And I don't know why I've been running

seems quite fitting

anyways I thought and prayed about the younger version of me in the dream and I remembered a vision I had more than 10 years ago when I was praying with someone. In it, I was also a young child.

The vision was of me as a young boy walking through a very dark forest, so dark and the trees so thick, you couldn't see through them. In front of me was an angel. He was leading me through the dark forest and he had a lantern in his hand. He was holding it behind him as he faced forward so I could see the trail between us. I could also see the roots trying to trip me up and the stones, set to cause me to stumble. And the scripture which came to mind was Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

 

[humblewatchman]

That is beautiful. The dream is a well painted picture of God's love and guidance. I hope you share that often.

 

[Just Under Grace]

There are times when I feel the presence of the Lord near and instead of opening the door and inviting Him in and just taking time to spend with Him, I find other "things" to do. Like Martha, so busy with the things of this world. I'm running away and only giving him small parts of me. I pray I get this right before I leave this world

ditto...

What a beautiful dream, reminds me a bit of Aslan in the Narnia books - I'm pretty sure a similar scene happens in one of them

 

[MastersPiece]

There are times when I feel the presence of the Lord near and instead of opening the door and inviting Him in and just taking time to spend with Him, I find other "things" to do. Like Martha, so busy with the things of this world. I'm running away and only giving him small parts of me. I pray I get this right before I leave this world

It is so very important when we feel the tug of Holy Spirit to spend time with Him that we are obedient and run to meet with Him. This takes some discipline... I've heard a number of testimonies regarding those who've ignored the call to intimacy and after awhile, the Lord just stops calling a person and gives them over to their fleshly desires. God help us. These are the days we are being called to intimacy - Intimacy with Him, oh how He calls to His bride. God bless you as you answer His call to intimacy.