Most of my dreams are “mad libs,” the organized part of my mind attempting to construct a narrative out of disparate snippets. But some years back, during a major transition in my life, I had a dream that was clearly something more.
I was on a sailboat at sea. I’d been travelling for days, and praying constantly for guidance. Finally, the clouds rolled back, a light beamed down, and a rather Monty-Python-ish voice rumbled, “Hang a left.”
Directions! I’d finally received directions! I turned the tiller. The boat groaned to portside. Waves danced onto the deck. I had a mission!
Before long I spotted an island, and thought, “God is sending me there!” As the island grew nearer, I saw beautiful islanders in graceful catamarans rowing out to meet me. “Hello!” I shouted. “God is sending me to you!” And then, just as I was about to land, the clouds parted, and the voice said, “Hang a right.”
That was it, no explanation, just “hang a right.” I bitterly heeled to starboard and sailed away. Away from my calling! Away from my purpose! After hours of sulking, I yelled, “Why? Why did you change your mind?”
I was suddenly yanked up into the sky, from whence I was able to look down and, for the first time, see the entire course of my journey marked by a conveniently cinematic dotted line. And from there–from God’s point of view–I was able see what had actually occurred:
I’d been sailing toward a distant country when I came to the edge of a perilous reef, one that would have shredded my little boat! So the voice had instructed me to turn left. But as soon as I did, I found myself in line with an island which appeared to be my destination, but actually had nothing to do with my journey. Then, when I reached the western edge of the reef, I was told to turn right and continue on.
At that moment, I awoke. “What was that?” I asked. And a still, small (very un-Monty-Pythonish) voice replied, “You weren’t told go to the island, Mitch. You saw it and assumed you were. Every time that, in your desire for a complete set of directions, you make assumptions, you risk swamping your true calling. You must learn to wait. Learn to listen. Learn to live by every word that proceeds from out of my mouth (Matthew 4:4), not just some of the words, but every word, and never…
“By your assumptions about them.”
Ugh!!! How many times have I done the same thing!?!!! Not listening to every Word, assuming… Oh how I can relate. We’re a mess, aren’t we? But thank God, Jesus came to clean up our messes… Don’t know where I’d be without Him. Thank you for another great post, Mitch. 😊
My privilege, Dori. And re. “our messes”: amen!
Yep! 🙄
Brilliant lesson!Thank you!
Joseph Yakovetic 4480 Powderhorn Place Drive Clermont, Florida 34711
mobile: 909.241.6088
SDG Soli Deo Gloria “To God Alone the Glory”
My privilege, Joe.
Wonderful and thought-provoking. My dear friend Julie just got a diagnosis of terminal cancer after a year-long remission. Her post after her appointment made me cry. She said, “God has called me to spread light and love at the Cancer Clinic again.” I have to learn to listen more and act less.
Your friend, Julie, is bound and determined to do God’s will by lifting the spirits of His beloved children and courageously bearing the cross given her.
If only everyone had a heart like hers, Sally.
Wisdom. ❤️ And I love your description of dreams as “mad-libs” 😂
;>) Thank you, Kelley.
You’re welcome!
Thank you for this beautiful post
My pleasure, Luisa.
🙏💐🙏
Very Cool!
Great reminder, thanks for sharing.
My privilege.
I totally agree Mitch. We God’s children must learn to listen and obey when His Holy Spirits small still voice speaks to us. We are His hands, eyes and voice in a world lacking His light. Learning this allows Him to send us to His lost sheep. He tells us in His Word. The harvest is great but the laborers are few. By His grace we will be ready to share the good news with those He leads us to. Blessings
Amen, and thank you, Anonymous.
I have many recurring dreams. Every year about this time I dream about forgetting to make my kids their school lunches. I never actually missed a lunch. In the past months I’ve had a dream that I’m on a quest riding my bicycle. My husband hums the theme music for the witch In The Wizard of Oz. Just the other night I dreamt that I was dressed in a hockey uniform. Instead of a hockey stick, I had the handlebars from my bike stuck in my pants. I think I’m having problems letting go of control and allowing God to do his work. Either that or I need a dream interpreter. I wonder if Joseph could figure it out.
I think even Joseph might have a tough time figuring all that out, Kathy! ;>)
I watched your movie Healing River. Beautiful message, Forgiveness is the key to Healing spiritually. Loved it. I’ve shared it with many.
Aw, bless you, my friend.
This is a profound story.
Thank you.
I wanted to go to Arizona. God put a “Stop” sign in Wisconsin when He basically broke my car. Real Story.
Hah, I know what you mean, Robert.
Beautiful message, Mitch.
Thank you, Smitha.
Wow, Mitch! I’ll remember this parable. How powerful! Here I am down here THINKING and assuming (ugh) …but truly, this has happened so many times in my life I’m just singing on the sailboat and letting him steer anymore. After missing many islands, I think I’m getting it.
But STILL,…just last month. lol. “Ok, Karla…keep singing.” “Sailing,…take me away to where I’m always…” in God’s hands. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🎶🎶 your wisdom is a gift, dear friend. 🙏🏻
Bless you, dear friend. Wish I practiced what I preached a bit (make that a lot) more consistently!
Thank you, dear friend. I’m a work-in-progress, too!!
It’s incredible how much can be learned from dreams, if only we look and listen close enough. I’ve often gone to bed worrying about some problem or another, only to have a solution suddenly come to me in sleep. Thank you for sharing your story, Mitch! I need to keep the final message in mind — impatience and assumptions are some of my worst enemies.
I think that’s true for all of us, Damyanti. It certainly is for me.
Excellent illustration, Mitch. God’s Word says, “You Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” not a floodlight for the whole road. 😉
Exactly!
You’re right, there’s an important distinction between God’s actual directions for our lives and our assumptions about what those directions are. I know I’ve been guilty of confusing the two more than once. Thanks for this message!
My privilege, Ann!
Good one. I always say following angelic guidance is a lot like backing up a Mac truck. We can’t see or hear much, the person on the outside guiding us can’t say much, but we get the job done!
Love the parable and the lesson! Ears to hear and eyes to see wherever the Lord leads us.
Amen, Peggy.
Mitch,
We all know about assumptions. I had one where I was banging my head on the wall. Looking for God’s will because I tried so many directions at once. But never getting anywhere.
In Christ,
Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
This is powerful. You know what is said when we assume. Hearing is more about relationship with the One we’re listening to, than it is for directions to our calling. I’ve learned if I’m in a close relationship to the Captain, He’ll lead the ship and I can enjoy the ride. Thanks for sharing this.
My privilege, and amen, Debi.
What a simple but profound picture and message!
Thank you, Kara.
Really enjoyed reading this. Thanks for sharing 😊
My pleasure, Dionne.